Falmouth Waiting For 2nd Asbestos Water Test Before Taking Action

FALMOUTH, MA — The selectmen said they will wait for a second round of test results on water samples to come in before taking further action on a previous sample from a fire hydrant showing asbestos above the legal limit. Water officials collected samples throughout town after asbestos pipes were found improperly stored outside the Long Pond Pumping Station in October.

A first round of tests came back last week concluded that none of the ponds in Falmouth showed asbestos levels about the EPA's 7 million fibers per liter limit. But one fire hydrant in the Wild Harbor area had levels three times the legal limit, according to testing results, according to the Cape Cod Times, which first reported this story.

Water Superintendent Steve Rafferty told the Cape Cod Times there's no indication the asbestos level at the hydrant was caused by how the pipes were stores. Rafferty also said the second samples are a better reflection of residents' tap water quality and they should be available in two weeks.

Not all residents were happy with the decision. Resident Michael Heylin said the town should pay for asbestos tests on faucets for any Wild Harbor area resident who wants it. Another resident Marc Finneran said the town needs to flush the hydrants once a year, arguing it hadn't been done since 2013. Rafferty said the entire system hasn't been flished but the Water Department has been flushing hydrants in the spring and fall.

For more on this story, check out the Cape Cod Times.