The town’s two municipal wells tested positive for PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in early November, although the levels were below the state’s new maximum contaminant level for PFAS. The wells tested were well #2 and well #5, both located on Pond Road. Blended water from the two wells supplies downtown Harvard, including the schools, the library, and Town Hall.
The results of the test showed 6.61 parts per trillion (ppt) in well #2 and 15.2 ppt in well #5. The PFAS level of the blended water was 8.28 ppt, below the state maximum of 20 ppt for the sum of six specific per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
Both wells tested “non-detect” for PFAS in March 2019, which means no PFAS were detected in water from either well. But Department of Public Works Director Tim Kilhart said the test has become more accurate, and he believes that is why the November test showed PFAS in the two wells.
Kilhart told the Press that the wells were tested because the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) now requires all public water supplies to establish a PFAS baseline before regular testing begins next fall. If any amount of PFAS is found in the first baseline test, the water supply must be retested, and the baseline will be the average of the two tests. Kilhart said a second test has been done, but the results are not back yet. He added that the baseline number will be based on the blended water from the two wells.
As long as the blended water’s PFAS level does not exceed 20, the DEP will not require remediation. Quarterly PFAS testing of Harvard’s public water supplies is set to begin in October 2021
