Natick Water Was Under PFAS Threshold In June

NATICK, MA — All Natick water sources in June tested below the state threshold for PFAS chemicals, the second month in a row the town has received a positive result.

Natick detected PFAS levels above the state threshold of 20 nanograms per liter (ng/L) in early 2021. Those levels were almost exclusively measured at the H&T water source at the Springvale pumping station. H&T has been offline since April, lowering the town wide PFAS levels.

On July 22, Natick broke ground on a new granulated activated carbon filtration system at Springvale, and construction should be complete by the end of 2021. The system promises to lower PFAS levels at the problem source, allowing Natick to begin using H&T again.

PFAS are a group of chemicals that 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.

You can see the town's most recent PFAS test results here.