As New PFAS Standards Start, Worcester Reports 'Trace' Amounts

WORCESTER, MA — Worcester conducted its first test of city drinking water for PFAS chemicals in January under new state standards, and officials say only "trace levels" of the harmful compounds were detected at a city filtration plant.

The state has taken steps in recent months to recognize PFAS chemicals as a public health threat. In the fall, the state Department of Environmental Quality (MassDEP) set a threshold of 20 parts-per-trillion (PPT) for public drinking water, much more rigid than the federal 70 PPT standard.

This spring, cities and towns across the state will be required to begin testing for six PFAS compounds. Some cities and towns started testing early — and have already detected potential problems.

This month, Wayland alerted its residents that one of the town's main water sources tested above the state standard for PFAS. The town has begun distributing bottled water as officials consider a fix for the contamination. Natick has also detected elevated PFAS levels at one town water treatment plant. The town has reduced reliance on that facility while working on a fix.

Closer to Worcester, Princeton and Millbury have detected PFAS levels above 20 PPT, according to MassDEP.

PFAS chemicals have been used for decades in household and industrial applications, including on nonstick pans, waterproof fabrics, in foam used to fight fires and even microwave popcorn bags. The chemicals can build up in the body over time, and may cause cancer, thyroid disease and birth defects, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

In a memo sent to City Council this week, Worcester Public Works Commissioner Jay Fink said Worcester's test results showed PFAS compounds in the water at less than 2 PPT. But Fink said it's unclear how those levels might change over time as the city continues testing.

"Testing of Worcester’s drinking water will continue this year with quarterly sampling of the treated water from the filtration plant," the memo said. "The next sample will be taken in April. While the first round was encouraging, there is nothing known about seasonal variations in PFAS levels in surface waters nor do we know whether our individual reservoirs have varying amounts."