Test Finds Traces Of Dangerous Chemicals In Braintree Water

BRAINTREE, MA — Tri-Town Water Board, which oversees the water supply for Braintree, Holbrook and Randolph, announced they found low levels of potentially dangerous chemicals in the water. Board officials said they ran voluntary tests and found traces of per- and polyflouroalky substances, (PFAS) which the Environmental Protection Administration has linked to cancer, thyroid disease and weakening of the immune system.

The PFAS levels averaged 24.5 parts per trillion, which is well below state and federal limits of 70 parts per trillion. Board officials said they wanted to alert the public out of an abundance of caution and for the sake of transparency.

"Efforts are already underway to pilot and implement a treatment system to reduce PFAS from the water supply," water board officials said in a statement. "The TriTown will continue to test PFAS levels on a regular basis and update the communities on our progress. Please note that our Tri-Town water supply source meets or exceeds public water supply quality standards."

Water board officials said PFAS are a large group of man-made chemicals that have been used since the '50s in nonstick cookware, water-resistant clothing, food packaging materials and firefighting foam. To learn more about these chemicals, head to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection's website.