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PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) Information
The Plainville Water System has levels of PFAS6 Above the Drinking Water Standard.
This report contains important information about your drinking water.
Please translate it or speak with someone who understands it or ask the contact listed below for a translation.
What happened?
The Plainville Water System is providing this PUBLIC NOTICE because drinking water we receive daily from the North Attleborough water system continues to violate a newly promulgated drinking water standard for the sum of six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances called PFAS6. The following corrective actions are being taken: North Attleboro is currently working with design engineers on an expedited project to design, permit, and install the new granular activated carbon (GAC) treatment facility. While actions are being implemented to lower the level of PFAS6 in the drinking water, water that complies with the drinking water standard is being made available free of charge at a self-service water filling station located at the DPW office, 49 Whiting Street. See North Attleborough Water System Public Notice here: https://www.nattleboro.com/DocumentCenter/View/4950/2023-1st-Quarter-Public-Notice-Regarding-PFAs-PDF
What does this mean?
This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified within 24 hours. Although this is not an emergency, as our customer, you have a right to know what happened, what you should do, and what we are doing to correct this situation.
On October 2, 2020, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) promulgated a new drinking water regulation and maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 20 nanograms per liter (ng/L or parts per trillion – ppt) for PFAS6. See the latest results in the table below.
Plainville Water System PFAS6 Results
Location | Monitoring Period | Sample Collection Date | PFAS6 Result (ng/L) | PFAS6 MCL (ng/L) |
---|---|---|---|---|
North Attleboro McKeon Treatment Facility | Quarter 1, 2023 | 1/05/23 - 25.7 2/13/23 - 22.1 3/08/23 - 20.5 | 23 (Quarterly Average) | 20 |
Kelly Blvd. North Attleboro Interconnection | Quarter 1, 2023 | 1/12/23 | 20 | 20 |
Everett St. North Attleboro Interconnection | Quarter 1, 2023 | 1/12/23 | 19 | 20 |
Turnpike Wells Plainville Sources | Quarter 1, 2023 | 1/12/23 | 6.6 | 20 |
ND = Non Detect for PFAS6
PFAS6 Testing Results From the First Quarter of 2023 (PDF)
Recent PFAS6 results for samples collected from the interconnection/entry point locations where the North Attleborough water enters the Plainville Public Water System at Kelly Boulevard were above the MCL; however, the Everett Street entry point result was below the MCL at the time the sample was collected. Because the North Attleboro Water Department results are above the MCL at the McKeon Water Treatment Facility, we must provide you with this Public Notice. Additionally, we are required to sample our own sources and the results from the Turnpike Wells are below the MCL.
Some people who drink water containing these PFAS in excess of the MCL may experience certain adverse effects. These could include effects on the liver, blood, immune system, thyroid, and fetal development. These PFAS may also elevate the risk of certain cancers. For more information on PFAS6, see the links listed below.
What is PFAS6?
PFAS6 includes perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) and perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA). PFAS are man-made chemicals that have been used in the manufacturing of certain fire-fighting foams, moisture and stain resistant products, and other industrial processes. For more information, see the links listed below.
What do I need to do?
- Consumers in a sensitive subgroup (pregnant or nursing women, infants and people diagnosed by their health care provider to have a compromised immune system), are advised not to consume, drink, or cook with water when the level of PFAS6 is above 20 ng/L.
- Consumers in sensitive subgroups are advised to use bottled water for drinking and cooking of foods that absorb water (like pasta).
- For infant formula, use bottled water or use formula that does not require adding water.
- For older children and adults not in a sensitive subgroup, the 20 ng/L value is applicable to a lifetime of consuming the water. For these groups, shorter duration exposures present less risk. However, if you are concerned about your exposure while steps are being taken to assess and lower the PFAS concentration in the drinking water, use of bottled water will reduce your exposure.
- Bottled water should only be used if it has been tested. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health requires companies licensed to sell or distribute bottled water or carbonated non-alcoholic beverages to test for PFAS. See https://www.mass.gov/info-details/water-quality-standards-for-bottled-water-in-massachusetts#list-of-bottlers-
- Home water treatment systems that are certified to remove PFAS by an independent testing group such as NSF, UL, or Water Quality Association may be used to treat the water. These may include point of entry systems, which treat all the water entering a home, or point of use devices, which treat water where it is used, such as at a faucet. For information on selecting home treatment devices that are effective in treating the water for PFAS6, review the MassDEP factsheet for consumers referenced below.
- In most situations the water can be safely used for washing foods, brushing teeth, bathing, and showering.
- Boiling the water will not destroy PFAS6 and will somewhat increase its level due to evaporation of some of the water.
- If you have specific health concerns regarding exposure, you should see the Centers for Disease Control’s link below and consult a health professional, such as your doctor.
What is being done?
The Plainville Water System has taken the following measures to assess and lower the PFAS concentration in the drinking water:
- The North Attleborough Water Department is investigating long-term water treatment options and is currently considering the installation of a new, permanent granular activated carbon (GAC) PFAS treatment facility at this location.
- Alternative Water that complies with the drinking water standard is being made available free of charge at a self-service water filling station located at 49 Whiting Street, North Attleborough, DPW Office. Sensitive subgroups include pregnant, or nursing women, infants, and people diagnosed by their health care provider to have a compromised immune system. For updates on accessing alternative water, please visit our website at https://www.plainville.ma.us/pfas
- We have provided information about PFAS in our 2021 Water Quality Report
- We added information on PFAS to the Public Works section of our website at: https://www.plainville.ma.us/pfas
- Our other active drinking water sources do not currently contain PFAS6 concentrations above the MCL. We will continue to sample all our active drinking water sources for PFAS.
- When additional information becomes available, this Public Notice will be updated.
Where can I get more information?
For more information, please contact:
Plainville Water Operations Center
171 East Bacon Street
Plainville, MA 02762
P: (508) 695-6871
Hours of Operation:
Mon. – Fri. 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM,
For more information on PFAS6 and information on home water treatment, see the links below.
- MassDEP Fact Sheet - Questions and Answers for Consumers (https://www.mass.gov/media/1854351)
- CDC ATSDR Information on PFAS for consumers and health professionals (https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/index.html)
- Massachusetts Department of Public Health information about PFAS in Drinking Water - https://www.mass.gov/service-details/per-and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas-in-drinking-water
This Public Notice is being sent to you by the Plainville Water System ID#: 4238000
Date distributed February 20, 2023
We will provide public notice updates every three months until the situation has been resolved.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
Rev. 2021-03
-
Water Quality Hotline
Phone: 888-987-7589 or 508-576-8379
-
Water & Sewer Department
Physical Address
171 East Bacon Street
Plainville, MA 02762
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 1565
Plainville, MA 02762
Phone: 508-695-6871Fax: 508-695-6736
Schedule a Water Quality Inspection
Phone: 508-695-6871, ext. 6
Email Water Quality
- What does this mean?
-
This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified within 24 hours. Although this is not an emergency, as our customer, you have a right to know what happened, what you should do, and what we are doing to correct this situation.
In compliance with the drinking water regulation, we must provide you with this Public Notice so you can make informed decisions about your drinking water while we continue to monitor the water supply.
Some people who drink water containing these PFAS in excess of the MCL may experience certain adverse effects. These could include effects on the liver, blood, immune system, thyroid, and fetal development. These PFAS may also elevate the risk of certain cancers.
The Town of North Attleborough Water Division has constructed a kiosk for members of the sensitive subgroups (pregnant women, breastfeeding women, children under 1 year old or persons with compromised immune systems) to have access to PFAS-free water. While intended for these subgroups, the kiosk is open to all North Attleborough and Plainville residents.
The kiosk is located at 49 Whiting Street (a small parking lot at the end of Broad Street) in North Attleborough. The initial hours of operation for the kiosk will be 7:30 am to 3:30 pm, Monday through Thursday. This may be changed based on the needs and feedback from residents. Residents will need to bring their own containers to fill. There is no limit on the amount of water that can be taken, but please be mindful of others who may be waiting.
This project was funded through a grant by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The kiosk will remain operational until the water system meets the new DEP regulation for PFAS6. Should you have any questions about the kiosk, please contact 508-695-7790.
- What is PFAS6?
-
PFAS6 includes perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) and perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA). PFAS are man-made chemicals that have been used in the manufacturing of certain fire-fighting foams, moisture and stain-resistant products, and other industrial processes.
- What do I need to do?
-
For Consumers in a Sensitive Subgroup
- Consumers in a sensitive subgroup (e.g., pregnant or nursing women, infants, and people diagnosed by their healthcare provider to have a compromised immune system), are advised not to consume, drink, or cook with water when the level of PFAS6 is above 20 ng/L
- Consumers in sensitive subgroups are advised to use bottled water for drinking and cooking foods that absorb water (like pasta)
- For infant formula, use bottled water or use formula that does not require adding water
- Bottled water should only be used if it has been tested. A list of companies that voluntarily tested their water for PFAS and shared the results can be found on MassDEP's website
For All Consumers
- For older children and adults (not in a sensitive subgroup), the 20 ng/L value is applicable to a lifetime of consuming the water. For these groups, shorter-duration exposures present less risk. However, if you are concerned about your exposure while steps are being taken to assess and lower the PFAS6 concentration in the drinking water, the use of bottled water will reduce your exposure. A list of companies that voluntarily tested their water for PFAS and shared the results can be found on MassDEP's website.
- In most situations, the water can be safely used for washing foods, brushing teeth, bathing, and showering.
- Boiling the water will not destroy PFAS6 and will somewhat increase its level due to the evaporation of some of the water.
- If you have specific health concerns regarding your past exposure while steps are being taken to assess and lower the PFAS concentration in the drinking water, you should see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's link below and consult a health professional, such as your doctor.
- Some home water treatment systems used to treat/filter individual faucets or entire homes can or may be able to lower the level of PFAS6 in drinking water. Our public water system has not evaluated any home treatment systems or devices to determine their efficacy to remove and maintain PFAS6 below 20 ng/L and is not aware of a currently available home treatment system or device shown to meet the Massachusetts drinking water standard for PFAS6 of 20 ng/L. Therefore, when deciding on home water treatment for PFAS6, you should be aware of the specific information on home water treatment systems and PFAS6.