Wayland Releases Drinking Water Chemical Study

WAYLAND, MA — On Thursday, the Town of Wayland issued the latest round of test data related to the presence of per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS6) in its public water supply. The data released represents water samples taken from test wells and surface water locations near the Wayland High School Stadium.

In January 2021, the Wayland Water Division confirmed elevated levels of PFAS6 in the drinking water. Since then, the wells have been tested monthly.

The results of the August tests are available in an online report.

The town’s engineering contractor Weston & Sampson found that some wells still contain higher than usual amounts of PFAS6.The report said that this may be due to former Wayland High School septic system, which appear to “exhibit higher than background concentrations for PFAs and are increasing in concentration. This observation indicates that the former septic system may be a point source.”

The report said that the second possible point source may be due to unusually high precipitation in the summer of 2021.

“The Town will continue with a multi-faceted approach to tackling the PFAS issue,” Town Administrator Louise Miller said in a Friday news release. “This approach includes the treatment of all three wells at the Happy Hollow wellfield while also investigating the possible point source(s) of the groundwater.”