Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Public Education

In October 2020, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) promulgated a new drinking water regulation and maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 20 nanograms per liter (ng/L) – also referred to as parts per trillion (ppt) for the sum of six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (called 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 synthetic chemicals that have been used in the manufacturing of certain fire-fighting foams, moisture and stain resistant products, industrial processes, and many other consumer products.

 Recently, the Westford Water Department (Water Department) identified an elevated level of PFAS6 in the drinking water during routine (quarterly) monitoring at the Forge Village Water Treatment Plant (WTP).  Even though the level is above the MCL, a PFAS6 MCL violation has not occurred, as violations are based on three months of testing.  Instead, we are required to ensure that our customers are aware of the elevated levels (by providing public education materials) so they can make informed decisions about their drinking water while we continue to monitor the water supply.   

Please visit the  PFAS Public Education for additional information (will also be mailed to our customers).  

For information on private wells and PFAS click on PFAS in Private Well Drinking Water Supplies FAQ .  

Westford Water Department Compliance Monitoring:  Update  February, 2022

The February PFAS6 results have been received.   Forge Village WTP: 3.80 ppt; Nutting Road WTP:  15.4 ppt (both results are pending laboratory data review by the MassDEP).  Both of these results are below the MassDEP maximum contaminant level (mcl) of 20ppt.   Future monthly results will be reported on this website.    For source well sampling results click SOURCE WELL DATA .

2022 PFAS6 RESULTS SUMMARY

2021 PFAS6 RESULTS SUMMARY

2023 PFAS6 RESULTS SUMMARY

Westford Water Department Source Sampling Summary

The Westford Water Department uses 9 groundwater wells/wellfields for source water.    A second sample was collected from the Country Road 2 well on November 10, 2021.   The Country Road 2 well was removed from service upon receipt of the July sample results (August 2021), and remains offline.    Below are results for PFAS samples collected in July 2021.