Pantherbook: "Toxic Turf at Beaver Pond?"

Via Pantherbook:

"Have you ever played on the field at Beaver Pond in Franklin, MA? Many kids have. Little do they know, discarded turf from the field has been decomposing in the pond’s wetlands for over two years."

Continue reading the Pantherbook article online
https://franklinpanthers.us/top-stories/2019/12/11/toxic-turf-at-beaver-pond/

The Pantherbook posting was prescient as the Boston Globe published this:

"Amid growing concerns about toxic chemicals in the water supply, state regulators Friday announced significant new limits on the human-made compounds in drinking water and approved new requirements ordering polluters to clean up contaminated soil and ground water. 

The long-awaited rules come as environmental officials acknowledge that the per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals, known as PFAS, have been found in a growing number of communities across the state. 

The chemicals, which have been linked to cancer, low infant birth weights, and a range of diseases, have been found so far in 28 of 37 municipal water systems that have provided test results to the state Department of Environmental Protection, officials said this week. Of those, 12 found that the amounts exceed the proposed standards for drinking water."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/12/13/massachusetts-issues-new-standards-for-forever-chemicals-water-supply/dz25i9Sk92QfiDl5TeSJFL/story.html

And as an update to the previously shared listing on the "turf issue":

What we know:

• The prior conversations around the field replacements (completed in 2017) were centered around the crumb rubber infill. The Town spent more for an acrylic coated infill (which apparently was installed), the issue now is NOT with the infill but the with chemicals used to treat the carpet itself.
• A third party filed a complaint with DEP about the old turf stored at the Beaver St fields
• Article in TheIntercept about PFAS found in the turf itself  https://theintercept.com/2019/10/08/pfas-chemicals-artificial-turf-soccer/
• Article in the Boston Globe alleging potential issues with the water supply and shared via Franklin Matters  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/10/we-will-work-with-dep-to-resolve-matter.html
• The Franklin community on Facebook reacts in the conversation around the article and issue
• Town Administrator Jamie Hellen makes statement at Town Council meeting 10/16/19 https://drive.google.com/open?id=14VSvuZvTifTbeHO4bWFtIy2YxVdjRF4O
• Updated 12/5/19 - Town Administrator Jamie Hellen makes statement at Town Council meeting 12/4/19 referring to the DEP letter https://drive.google.com/file/d/15WMp_zZiMXs_7MfpUQJd5hgtaVbrlkY_/view?usp=sharing
• Updated 12/13/19 - While PFAS in the water supply was tested by Town of Franklin once in 2018, is PFAS still being tested by ToF now? No, nor are they required to do so (although as the final testing standards issued 12/27/19 are evaluated, this may change).
• Updated 12/13/19 - What will the State do with PFAS and the recent revelations (if anything)? The State just issued new testing standards to be finalized by 12/27/19  https://www.mass.gov/lists/preview-of-the-final-pfas-related-revisions-to-the-mcp-2019

What we don’t know:

• What happened to the Conservation Commission mitigation measures from when the field was first installed (in 2004?)?
• Where was the old carpet and bags of unused infill taken?
• What will the Federal agencies do with PFAS and the recent revelations (if anything)?

bags of the acrylic coated infill ready for install at FHS in August 2017

new turf carpet being installed at Beaver St field in August 2017

New storm water utlility fee proposal - Town Council meeting Nov 13

New storm water utility fee ("tax") proposal up for discussion at the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov 13, 2019.

Given this is in response to questionable EPA requirements (#1), given the EPA regulation process is potential revised (#2) Why are we doing this?


#1

• EPA permits PFAS to flow into drinking water

https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/11/05/toxic-chemicals-can-dumped-into-merrimack-river-federal-and-state-officials-say/N0u3jOxo1CnpcQiACEW88N/story.html

• While local authorities objected and now Lowell officials will stop the process

 https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/11/07/lowell-water-treatment-plant-stop-accepting-toxic-water-from-landfill/tmXpsDYlCI6Bow0rovemkJ/story.html

#2

• EPA to limit science in rule development

https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2019/11/11/epa-tighten-limits-science-used-write-public-health-rules/jLNWwBDaDO6BGiXuuAYk2N/story.html


Storm water Presentation & Discussion

• i. Town Administrator Introduction Memo

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/town_administrator_introduction_memo.pdf

• ii. Public Works PowerPoint Presentation

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/public_works_powerpoint_presentation.pdf

Franklin Dept Public Works -storm water from Franklin Matters

• iii. Storm water Management Plan (393 Page document; 8MB PDF)

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/stormwater_management_plan.pdf

• iv. Storm water Brochures History

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/stormwater_brochures_history.pdf

rain garden doing what it is supposed to, catch the rain and let the ground soak it in

“We will work with DEP to resolve the matter”

From the Boston Globe, an article on Franklin and PFAS.

"For two years, an abandoned pile of artificial turf had decomposed on a bluff here, a few feet above wetlands that are part of the suburb’s drinking water supply. Nearby, ripped bags with the infill of the turf, tiny pellets of shredded tires, littered the embankment.

Public health advocates have long raised alarms about artificial turf pellets, which simulate the give of natural grass but have been shown to contain benzene, cadmium, and other known carcinogens. Now, for the first time, a new series of tests has found that the blades, and their plastic backing, may also contain toxic chemicals.

The test results showed that the turf contained elevated levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals known as PFAS, which have been linked to kidney cancer, low infant birth weights, and a range of diseases. The findings have raised concerns about the safety of millions of square feet of artificial turf installed in recent years on public fields and playgrounds across the country.

“This is huge. It’s the first time that PFAS chemistry used in plastic production has been found in finished consumer products,” said Jeff Gearhart, research director of the Ecology Center, a nonprofit environmental research group based in Michigan that tested the turf. “This finding is maybe the tip of the iceberg. We suspect these PFAS chemicals may be found in other plastic building and consumer products.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/10/09/toxic-chemicals-found-blades-artificial-turf/1mlVxXjzCAqRahwgXtfy6K/story.html

Kyla Bennett (left) and Tracy Stewart of Medway looked over a pile of turf in Franklin.DAVID L RYAN/GLOBE STAFF/GLOBE STAFF

For more info on PFAS from the EPA  https://www.epa.gov/pfas

Download your copy of the PFAS Infographic here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/11t0xrG8FCBg4-Cc2imMiTdqsPfb_REEx/view?usp=sharing

or directly from the EPA
https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2018-03/documents/pfasv15_2pg_0.pdf

Franklin Residents: Drinking Water Notice

DRINKING WATER NOTICE

To all users of the Franklin Water Department

located in Franklin, Massachusetts

This is an important notice - please translate it for anyone who does not understand English.

We routinely monitor for the presence of drinking water contaminants to ensure the safety of the water supply. On August 28, 2019 our water system was notified that a water sample collected on August 27, 2019 from Grove St. Well #3 tested positive for E.coli, which is a fecal indicator. Fecal indicators are used to detect ground water sources that may be susceptible to fecal contamination which may contain harmful viruses or bacteria. THE WELL HAS NOT BEEN USED SINCE AUGUST 27th AND REMAINS OFFLINE.

The water delivered to your taps through the distribution system is disinfected with chlorine to kill viruses and bacteria, including E.coli. It is important to note that samples collected on August 27, 2019 in the distribution system did NOT detect any fecal contaminants.

This source is one of twelve active wells that supplies drinking water to our system. In accordance with the federal Ground Water Rule (GWR) requirements, we are notifying you of the situation and conducting additional sampling to evaluate the extent of potential fecal contamination and will take further actions as necessary.


WHAT SHOULD YOU DO? WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

This is not an emergency, you do not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions at this time.

• The USEPA requires us to provide you with this notice and the following information on fecal indicators: “Fecal indicators are microbes whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems.” These symptoms can also be caused by issues unrelated to drinking water. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, or, if you have specific health concerns, you may want to discuss such concerns with your doctor. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 or https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/safe-drinking-water-hotline

• 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.

WHAT IS BEING DONE? 

The well will remain offline for further evaluation. Our system is undergoing repeat testing and evaluation to determine if the current level of treatment is adequate or if additional corrective actions are necessary to reduce the risk of potential fecal contamination in our drinking water supply.

We are in contact with MassDEP during this process who will evaluate the effectiveness of the steps taken and determine if any further action is required. If necessary, you will be notified again if you need to take any corrective actions. This notice does not affect persons using private drinking water wells.

For more information and further updates, please contact Laurie Ruszala, Water and Sewer Superintendent, at 508-520-4910 or visit http://www.franklinma.gov/.



PWSID#: 2101000 Date Distributed: August 28, 2019

Local officials touring an area of sewer main that had to be carved into rock

Consumer Confidence Report: 2018 (part 3 of 3)

This is part 3 of 3 featuring sections from the Consumer Confidence Report published annually by the Franklin, MA DPW - Water and Sewer Division.
https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division

"This report describes Franklin’s drinking water sources and treated water quality for the calendar year 2018, and programs that protect the high quality of our water supply. This publication is mandated by the federal public right-to-know regulation requiring community water suppliers to provide specific treated water quality information annually to their customers. This report includes additional information beyond the minimum federal requirements in order to respond to typical questions our customers ask about Franklin’s water system."

Franklin’s Water Sources

Currently the Town of Franklin obtains its drinking water from 12 groundwater supply wells. In recent years this supply has been unable to meet peak water demands due to rapid growth and development in Franklin as well as declining water quality and capacity in some of our wells. As a result, and as required by our water withdrawal permit, annual water usage restrictions have been implemented during the spring and summer months. Franklin’s water mains have interconnections with Bellingham, Medway, Wrentham, and Norfolk. In the event of an emergency, Franklin could utilize these interconnections to maintain water pressure throughout the distribution system.

In addition to the 12 active water supply wells, the Town operates 6 booster pumping stations, 6 water storage tanks, 2,000 hydrants, 158 miles of water main and approximately 9,000 water services."

The full report can be found online
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/2018_ccr_web.pdf


One of the frequent comments from residents about the amount of growth Franklin is seeing is that it is too much and will negatively affect our water supply. No, it won't. The water restrictions we have are part of the permit from the MA EPA. We have sufficient capacity. We are limited by the permit to pump less than we could.

In January 2019, Director Brutus Cantoreggi and Water Supervisor Laurie Ruszela provided an update to the Town Council. The recording of that portion of the meeting (along with the slides shown here) should answer the question on our supply.

The audio recording is found here:
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/02/fm-159-dpw-water-works-audio.html
 

Water Presentation - Jan 30, 2019 from Franklin Matters

DPW Director Brutus Cantoreggi and Water Supervisor Laurie Ruszela provided an update to the Town Council, Jan 2019

Consumer Confidence Report: 2018 (part 2 of 3)

This is part 2 of 3 featuring sections from the Consumer Confidence Report published annually by the Franklin, MA DPW - Water and Sewer Division.
https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division

"This report describes Franklin’s drinking water sources and treated water quality for the calendar year 2018, and programs that protect the high quality of our water supply. This publication is mandated by the federal public right-to-know regulation requiring community water suppliers to provide specific treated water quality information annually to their customers. This report includes additional information beyond the minimum federal requirements in order to respond to typical questions our customers ask about Franklin’s water system."

Lead Information

"Since the inception of Franklin’s corrosion control program in the early 1990s, lead and copper levels have remained well below the EPA Action Levels (AL). As shown in the table on page 2, the most recent round of testing found lead levels ranging from non-detect to 3 parts per billion (ppb) (AL=15 ppb) and copper levels ranging from 0.04 to 0.47 parts per million (ppm) (AL=1.3 ppm). If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children.

Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. The Franklin Department of Public Works Water Division is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your drinking water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at epa.gov/safewater/lead



The full report can be found online
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/2018_ccr_web.pdf

Franklin’s Drinking Water Treatment Process

Next Steps to clean up BJAT, LLC on Fisher St

From the US EPA:

Site Description:
The BJAT, LLC (BJAT) Site located at 300 Fisher Street in Franklin, MA was historically used for industrial operations including the manufacture of rubber and plastic products. The property has not been active since 1985. Investigations have found contaminants in soil, groundwater, sediment, and surface water. The Site was added to the National Priorities List (NPL), often referred to as the EPA Superfund list, in September 2015, making it eligible for long-term cleanup action under the federal Superfund program.

Next Steps:
In June, with oversight from EPA’s On-Scene Coordinator (OSC), BJAT is expected to begin a Removal Action which will address hazardous substances present in soil and drum waste for the purpose of reducing risk to human health and the environment. Concurrently, EPA’s Remedial Project Manager will begin a study known as a Remedial Investigation (RI). The RI will identify the nature and extent of Site contamination and the potential human health and environmental risks that the Site may pose. 

The results of this study will be used to develop a Feasibility Study (FS) which will identify what long-term cleanup measures may be appropriate to address human health and ecological risk at the Site. The RI/FS is expected to be completed in three or more years and the findings of the RI will be presented in the Proposed Plan for cleanup. In addition, EPA will determine if any additional immediate response actions need to be conducted to address any imminent hazards that are identified by sample collection efforts.

The short-term work that will be conducted during the Removal Action includes: excavation, sampling, staging and covering of drums and other containers, waste and approximately 2,114 tons of contaminated soil; treatment of excavated soil on-site if appropriate; excavation of a limited number of test pits; air monitoring; and off-site shipment of waste, excavated soil, and other contaminated items that may be encountered for disposal, treatment, re-use or recycling.

BJAT will generally work during daylight hours. The Removal Action is expected to take 3 to 6 months. Throughout the work day, BJAT will be monitoring air at the Site for the safety of site workers and the surrounding community. One may expect to see heavy equipment, workers in white suits, and trucks occasionally which may have a slight effect on traffic. Vehicle and truck traffic to and from the site will be limited to Fisher Street and the primary road, West Central Street (i.e., Route 140). Some hazardous materials will be secured on site temporarily while awaiting shipment offsite to an EPA-approved facility.



You can download the full copy from the Town of Franklin page
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/bjat_final_pdf_removal_fact_sheet_june_2018.pdf





Learn More about the Latest EPA News & Events in New England(https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-1-new-england)

Follow EPA New England on Twitter (http://twitter.com/epanewengland)

Connect with EPA New England on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/EPARegion1)

Related links from the Franklin Matters archives

• Live reporting from the Town Council meeting July 2014

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/live-reporting-epa-300-fisher-st.html

• DEP and EPA presentation to Town Council, July 2014

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/300-fisher-st-ma-dep-epa-presentation.html

• Map showing property location within Franklin

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/300-fisher-st-map.html

http://twitter.com/epanewengland

In the News: EPA pulls scientists before talk; NYC forecast to get flood waters more frequently

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Scientists at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency contributed research to “The State of Narragansett Bay and Its Watershed,” but at the 11th hour the federal agency canceled presentations that were set to be delivered by three staff members at a workshop on Monday to discuss the 500-page report on current conditions in the bay and future threats that include climate change. 

One of the scientists — Autumn Oczkowski, a research ecologist at the EPA laboratory in Narragansett — was set to deliver the keynote address at the workshop at Save The Bay’s headquarters in Providence. She will be replaced by Robinson W. Fulweiler, an ecosystems ecologist at Boston University, whose research has included a study on rising water temperatures in Narragansett Bay. 

“Narragansett Bay is one of Rhode Island’s most important economic assets and the EPA won’t let its scientists talk with local leaders to plan for its future. 

Whatever you think about climate change, this kind of collaboration should be a no-brainer,” Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., told The Washington Post Sunday night. “Muzzling our leading scientists benefits no one.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20171023/epa-cancels-talks-by-3-agency-scientists-at-rhode-island-event

The Blackstone River runs from Worcester to Narragansett Bay and
close by the Slater Mill in Pawtucket, RI where I grew up

"Within the next three decades, floods that used to strike the New York City area only once every 500 years could occur every five years, according to a new scientific study released just days before the fifth anniversary of Superstorm Sandy. 

The study, performed by researchers at several universities and published Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, primarily blames the predicted change on sea-level rise caused by global warming. 

“This is kind of a warning,” said Andra Garner, a Rutgers University scientist and study co-author. “How are we going to protect our coastal infrastructure?” 

The researchers based their analysis on multiple models that factored in predictions for sea level rise and possible changes in the path of future hurricanes."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20171023/study-nyc-could-see-bad-flooding-every-5-years

In the News: EPA details plan for cleanup; SEC reveals it was hacked in 2016

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The cleanup for ground pollution at a Superfund site could take up to 20 years, according to a fully drafted Community Action Plan. 

The draft highlights the planning and progress the Environmental Protection Agency has made regarding the cleanup and Superfund status at 300 Fisher St. 

In 2015, the EPA added the 18-acre property to the Superfund list, which makes the property eligible for state-funded cleanup. The Superfund law provides the EPA with the funds to clean up the sites and gives it authority to force the polluters to lead the efforts or reimburse the government for the work."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170921/franklin-fisher-street-cleanup-could-take-20-years

The Community Involvement Plan (CIP) can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/09/updated-community-involvement-plan-for.html

Updated Community Involvement Plan for the BJAT, LLC Superfund Site

"The federal agency responsible for ensuring that markets function as they should and for protecting investors was hacked last year and the intruders may have used the nonpublic information they obtained to profit illegally. 

The disclosure arrived two months after a government watchdog said deficiencies in the computer systems of the Securities and Exchange Commission put the system, and the information it contains, at risk. 

In July, the Government Accountability Office issued a critical report about the security measures employed by the SEC, citing a number of deficiencies in “the effectiveness of SEC’s controls for protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of its information systems.” It issued 26 recommendations that it said would make SEC systems more secure. 

According to the SEC, the breach was discovered last year, but the possibility of illicit trading was uncovered only last month. It did not explain why the hack itself was not revealed sooner, or which individuals or companies may have been impacted."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 
http://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20170921/fed-agency-urging-corporate-cybersecurity-upgrades-is-hacked