Two of the three wells that supply public drinking water to Devens now have no detectable levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The Devens Water Division installed treatment systems at the Shabokin and MacPherson wells that use granular activated carbon filters, and those systems are working, according to a press release from Devens Utilities Manager Jim Moore. As a result, the final delivery of free bottled water in Devens will be Oct. 11.
The MacPherson well was taken offline in 2018 when the level of PFAS found in its water was over the current Massachusetts Department of Environment Protection (MassDEP) guideline of 70 parts per trillion (ppt). In April 2019, MassDEP had announced it would propose lowering the PFAS guideline to 20 ppt. Both the Shabokin and Patton wells were over that number, so MassDevelopment responded by providing free delivery of bottled water to any resident, school, day care facility, or residential program that requested it.
Moore said the Devens Water Division is working with engineering firm Weston & Sampson to design and install filters to treat water from the Patton well, and installation is expected to be complete by the end of this year. In the meantime, the Patton well will remain on standby for emergency use only. Moore added that customers would be notified if the Patton well needed to be activated.
Now that the Shabokin and MacPherson wells are being successfully treated for PFAS, Devens will be phasing out the free water. Anyone who wishes to continue receiving the bottled water at their own expense can contact Poland Springs at 800-950-9907. Poland Springs staff will pick up empty bottles and equipment during the week of Oct. 28 for those who are not continuing delivery.
