by Joan Eliyesil ·
Friday, September 20, 2024
Corrected and updated September 20, 2024
The former Fort Devens Restoration Advisory Board met Sept. 12 to give an update on the Army’s investigation of the source and extent of two “plumes” emanating from three known sites near Barnum Road contaminated with PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). Tests show both plumes moving toward Cold Spring Brook and the northwest section of Harvard. In 2019, Army tests on private wells in that part of Harvard showed PFAS in 45 locations.
Surveys to profile the underground aquifers in and around the contamination site area were conducted last spring. Monitoring wells are currently being installed, including three in the Blanchard Road area in Harvard, and two on the eastern side of Cold Spring Brook.
All the wells are expected to be installed by early November and groundwater sampling will begin. Surface water and sediment testing in Cold Spring Brook will also be conducted this fall. Work will continue until Thanksgiving.
Seres-Arcadis contractor Andy Vitolins explained that the goal of the investigation is to determine the horizontal and vertical geometry of the plumes, as well as the level of contamination throughout the plumes. The next step will be to evaluate the potential impact on people and the environment.
Dan Groher, an engineer with the New England District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said that in most of New England, plumes don’t go under streams unless something unusual is going on. But Vitolins said the Army has to prove it’s not going under the brook. He said there could also be other sources elsewhere in Devens.
Vitolins said the Army recently requested access to more properties in northwest Harvard to install monitoring wells, but property owners refused to grant it. They are currently pursuing other locations, and Board of Health member Chris Mitchell said the board would be “happy to help” obtain permissions from Harvard homeowners.
The next Restoration Advisory Board meeting will be a community open house from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Nov. 14, at a location to be determined.
Editor's note: This article has been corrected and updated. The original article said the next RAB meeting will be Nov. 4. It will be Nov. 14.