Natick Lifts Water Ban Related To High PFAS Levels

NATICK, MA — It's a little late in the year to be watering your lawn, but you're free to do it if you want.

Natick on Friday lifted a water ban that's been in effect for more than six months due to high levels of PFAS chemicals. The town in late May began relying on the Elm Bank treatment plant as the town's primary water source, throttling the typical water supply.

"Residents and businesses may return to regular outdoor watering without restriction. We still ask residents to strive to conserve water when possible as conservation assists the Department of Public Works in dealing with the current PFAS issues," the town said in an update Friday.

The town's Springvale treatment facility, located along Route 9, still has PFAS levels higher than the state standard. A new round of tests from October showed PFAS at 21.02 nanograms per-liter (ng/l). The state threshold is 20 ng/l. The Elm Bank and Pine Oaks treatment plants are below the state threshold.

The situation at Springvale may soon be resolved. The town is in the process of installing carbon filters at the facility to trap PFAS, and the work should be complete by the end of the month, the town said.

PFAS chemicals have been used for decades in household and industrial applications, including on nonstick pans and waterproof fabrics, and in foam used to fight fires. 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.