Dozens of municipalities in Massachusetts are affected. Many are even worse off than Easton.
Reports Show Widespread PFAS Contamination of Ground and Surface Water in Massachusetts October 18, 2021
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has been conducting exploratory testing and is now requiring testing for PFAS in public drinking water systems. Since 2016, 591 systems in 259 municipalities had their results published so far. 75 systems in 56 communities have exceeded the Massachusetts quality limits for six regulated PFAS compounds (PFAS6) in drinking water of 20 ppt. These systems have taken or will take action to bring them into immediate and long-term compliance. The state tests currently for a total of 18 PFAS chemicals.
The Massachusetts Sierra Club prepared a small study of the full data set that expands upon the DEP screening to cover all measurements for all tested chemicals. This study shows how widespread PFAS contamination is throughout the Commonwealth in the ground water and surface water used for drinking. To date, 87% of the 259 communities have detectable levels of up to 13 different PFAS chemicals in their water sources. Many have levels much higher than 20 ppt for PFAS6. This scientific information will help provide a basis for protecting the public by preventing further contamination through further research, legislation, and additional regulation by state agencies.
Note: This does not represent current finished drinking water quality, and so does not indicate the population that has been or may be directly exposed to any contaminated water and any associated health risks.