Showing posts with label PFAS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label PFAS. Show all posts

Friday, August 21, 2026

Open House for Well 7/7A on Thursday, August 20

A few folks took advantage of the DPW Water/Sewer Division's open house to showcase the Well 7/7A pump station. The wells were taken off line about 4 years ago when PFAS levels triggered the move to offline.

A 0% loan from the State in addition to water rates has paid for the upgrade and the well is back online providing clean water with no PFAS.

Franklin TV will return sometime to create a video tour for those who were not able to attend. 

Photos of the facilitiy can be found in one album - 

Open House for Well 7/7A on Thursday, August 20


Download the PDF version of this infograph


All About the Water System Audio Series

Check out the following conversations between Franklin Matters Steve Sherlock and the Town of Franklin's Water/Sewer Superintendent, Doug Martin and Assistant Water/Sewer Superintendent, Jake Standley. This is a 3-part podcast series covering the water supply and operations for Franklin from well to our faucets

3-Part Series links


All About the Sewer System Audio Series

Check out the following conversations between Franklin Matters Steve Sherlock and the Town of Franklin's Water/Sewer Superintendent, Doug Martin and Assistant Water/Sewer Superintendent, Jake Standley. This is a 3-part podcast series covering the sewer system operations from the house to the Charles River Pollution Control District Treatment Facility.

3-Part Series links 

Thursday, August 20, 2026

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, August 20, 2026 ???

Thursday, August 20



9:00am Fallen Hero: Edward C. Dailey (Veterans Walkway, Franklin Town Common)

3:00pm FREE Choking Response Training (Franklin Fire Department)

5:00pm Open House - New Well 7-7A PFAS Treatment Facility (21 Elizabeth Ave)

6:00pm IEP/504 Caregiver Support Group at SAFE (SAFE Coalition) 

7:00pm BEN 4 Franklin Mtg (Franklin TV and Radio)



For additional details on Library events -> https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

For additional details on Library events -> https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

For additional details on Senior Center events ->    https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9890

For additional details on Senior Center events ->   



***  Town Meetings today ***

Town Council Monthly Office Hours

Thursday, August 20 Time: 8:30 AM

No agenda for this informal discussion


250th Anniversary Celebration Events Subcommittee Meeting

Thursday, August 20 Time: 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08202026-2462 


ZBA Meeting - No Meeting

Thursday, August 20


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Find the full Community event calendar https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication: https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

Reminder: Open House for Franklin's New Well 7-7A PFAS Treatment Facility - August 20

The Town of Franklin's Water and Sewer Division of the DPW invites residents to tour the new Well 7-7A PFAS Treatment Facility during a community Open House on Thursday, August 20, from 5 to 7 PM, located at 21 Elizabeth Avenue.

You're Invited: Open House for Franklin's New Well 7-7A PFAS Treatment Facility - August 20
The new facility was built to remove per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from drinking water and is designed to produce up to 580,000 gallons of treated drinking water per day while meeting Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) drinking water standards. The project also included upgrades to the site's existing treatment buildings, helping ensure Franklin continues to provide safe, reliable drinking water to the community.

During the Open House, visitors will have the opportunity to:
  • Tour the new treatment facility.
  • Learn how PFAS treatment works using granular activated carbon (GAC).
  • Meet members of Franklin's Public Works and Water Operations team.
  • Discover how the Town is investing in the long-term reliability and quality of Franklin's drinking water supply.
The event is free and open to the public. Whether you're interested in learning more about Franklin's water system or seeing the new facility firsthand, all are welcome to attend.

Tuesday, October 1, 2024

New well 7/7A treatment Facility Addition Construction to get underway soon

New well 7/7A treatment Facility Addition
New well 7/7A treatment Facility Addition
"Construction of the Well 7/7A PFAS Treatment Facility Addition will be getting underway soon.  The project is being financed with a 0% loan from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) and is expected to be completed by January 2026. 

The project includes the construction of an on-site treatment facility that will house granular activated carbon (GAC) pressure vessels and associated ancillary equipment as an addition onto the Well 7/7A pump station. 
In December 2020, the detected PFAS concentrations exceeding the MCL occurred, therefore use of the well was discontinued at that time.  This project will benefit the Town by reducing the PFAS at Well No. 7/7A to below the regulated limits for continued use of this important water source in the Franklin system.

The DWSRF program is administered by MassDEP with joint funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. DWSRF programs operate around the country to provide States and communities with the resources necessary to maintain and improve the infrastructure that protect our valuable water resources nationwide."

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Three US states call on environmental agency to regulate PFAS air emissions | US news | The Guardian

"Three US states are formally demanding that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) begin regulating PFAS “forever chemical” air emissions, as the toxic threat that the pollution poses to the environment and human health comes into sharper focus.

So far, federal regulators have focused on water pollution, but state environmental agencies in North Carolina, New Mexico and New Jersey last week filed a petition calling for the EPA to categorize four types of PFAS compounds as hazardous air pollutants and to begin regulating them under the Clean Air Act.

The petition comes after a Guardian investigation earlier this year found a Fayetteville, North Carolina, Chemours PFAS production plant is likely emitting much higher levels of the chemicals into the air than regulators and the company claimed. The air pollution is thought to be a driver of PFAS contamination in soil, water and food supplies across hundreds of square miles in the region.

However, a lack of federal rules makes it difficult for states to rein in air pollution, which is a “tremendous concern in our states and across the US”, the states wrote in their petition to Michael Regan, the EPA administrator."
Shared from (subscription maybe required) ->
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/sep/16/epa-pfas-emissions

Three US states call on environmental agency to regulate PFAS air emissions | US news | The Guardian
Three US states call on environmental agency to regulate PFAS air emissions | US news | The Guardian

Wednesday, August 14, 2024

WHO to scrap weak PFAS drinking water guidelines after alleged corruption | US news | The Guardian

"Many independent scientists charged that the proposed WHO drinking water guidelines for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) were weak, did not fully protect human health, ignored credible research, and were far above limits set by regulators in the US and EU. The guidelines would have allowed far more PFAS in drinking water than what is allowed by the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Though the earlier guidelines were drafts, and proposed rules all go through a revision process, the WHO is conducting an entirely new review of scientific literature and disbanded the panel of scientists who developed the draft guidelines. It established a new panel with fewer industry-linked scientists and more regulatory officials, moves that have not happened in other revisions, said Betsy Southerland, a former EPA manager in the agency’s water division.

“This is unprecedented, but the WHO got unprecedented criticism,” Southerland said."
Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required) -> 

Thursday, July 25, 2024

PFAS widely added to US pesticides despite EPA denial, study finds | PFAS | The Guardian

"Toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” are widely added to pesticides, and are increasingly used in the products in recent years, new research finds, a practice that creates a health threat by spreading the dangerous compounds directly into the US’s food and water supply.

The analysis of active and inert ingredients that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved for use in pesticides proves recent agency claims that the chemicals aren’t used in pesticides are false.

The researchers also obtained documents that suggest the EPA hid some findings that show PFAS in pesticides.

About 14% of all active ingredients in the country’s pesticides are PFAS, a figure that has doubled to more than 30% of all ingredients approved during the last 10 years."
Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

Wednesday, May 22, 2024

MMA: "EPA designates two PFAS chemicals as hazardous"

Via Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA):
"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has designated two so-called forever chemicals — perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) — as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, known as CERCLA, or Superfund.

The EPA’s rulemaking, issued on April 19 and effective on July 8, represents another step in the EPA’s plans to prevent pollution and address contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS.

PFAS have been commonly used in manufacturing because of their stain-resistant, water-resistant, and non-stick qualities. This family of very stable chemicals remains in the environment for a long time and is resistant to traditional contaminant remediation measures. PFAS are also considered hazardous to human health."
Continue reading the article online ->

PFAS mitigations are one of the cost drivers for Franklin, MA water rate increases

PFAS Testing Results on the Franklin wells (2 wells offline now) ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/table_to_compare_pfas_results_to_epa.pdf

water treatment system for wells 3 & 6 on Grove St
water treatment system for wells 3 & 6 on Grove St

Friday, March 29, 2024

Invitation for Bids (IFB) - Well 7/7A PFAS Treatment Facility

IFB - Well 7/7A PFAS Treatment Facility

The Town of Franklin, Massachusetts requests bids for construction of the Well 7/7A PFAS Treatment Facility project.

Sealed Bids for the General Contract for construction of the Well 7/7A PFAS Treatment Facility will be received by the Chief Procurement Officer, Municipal Building, Room 206, 355 East Central Street, Franklin, Massachusetts until 10:00AM, Wednesday May, 8, 2024 and at that time and place bids will be publicly opened and read aloud.

Sealed Bids for the filed SubContracts designated herein will be received at the office of the Chief
Procurement Officer, Municipal Building, Room 206, 355 East Central Street, Franklin, Massachusetts until 10:00 AM, Wednesday April 10, 2024 and at that time and place bids will be publicly opened and read aloud.

Additional Information:  Well 7/7A PFAS Treatment Facility

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/purchasing/bids/ifb-well-77a-pfas-treatment-facility

Invitation for Bids (IFB)  - Well 7/7A PFAS Treatment Facility
Invitation for Bids (IFB)  - Well 7/7A PFAS Treatment Facility

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Town of Franklin: Well 7/7A PFAS Treatment Facility - Invitation to Bid

Well 7/7A PFAS Treatment Facility

The Town of Franklin, Massachusetts requests bids for construction of the Well 7/7A PFAS Treatment Facility project.

Sealed Bids for the General Contract for construction of the Well 7/7A PFAS Treatment Facility will be received by the Chief Procurement Officer, Municipal Building, Room 206, 355 East Central Street, Franklin, Massachusetts until 10:00AM, Wednesday May, 8, 2024 and at that time and place bids will be publicly opened and read aloud.

Sealed Bids for the filed SubContracts designated herein will be received at the office of the Chief Procurement Officer, Municipal Building, Room 206, 355 East Central Street, Franklin, Massachusetts until 10:00 AM, Wednesday April 10, 2024 and at that time and place bids will be publicly opened and read aloud.

Additional Information:  Well 7/7A PFAS Treatment Facility

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/purchasing/bids/well-77a-pfas-treatment-facility

Town of Franklin: Well 7/7A PFAS Treatment Facility - Invitation to Bid
Town of Franklin: Well 7/7A PFAS Treatment Facility - Invitation to Bid

Tuesday, August 22, 2023

DPW layouts the multi-year infrastructure project costs to the Town Council (audio)

FM #1043 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1043 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares the Town Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Wednesday, August 16, 2023. 8 members of the Council were present in the Council Chambers; Jones was absent, Hamblen covered as clerk for the meeting.


Quick recap:

One appointment to the Agricultural Commission was approved. Daniel Morse moved from an associate role to a full seat. Likely a future appointment coming for a new associate.


Two PUBLIC HEARINGS were conducted. These previously were reviewed by the Economic Development Subcommittee and forwarded with unanimous approval. Both measures passed by 8-0-1 (8 for, 0 against, 1 absent)

a. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-898: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend the Franklin Town Code at Chapter 185, Attachment 9, Schedule of Lot, Area, Frontage, Yard and Height Requirements  

b. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-899: Marijuana Use Overlay District, A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185, Section 5, Zoning Map  


Presentation: DPW Project Updates - Brutus Cantoreggi, DPW Director

The presentation doc can be found here ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/pages/councl_update_aug_23.pdf 

i. Current Project Updates

ii. Pavement Management Program & Sidewalk Plan   

iii. Water Tank Master Plan


Discussion: Proposition 2 ½ Operating Override. As noted during the Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting, Jamie provided an overview on the Prop 2 ½ process. Attorney Cerel provided an overview of the more pertinent nuances of what could be done, and importantly what can’t be done.

i. Process - Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator  

ii. Campaign & Political Finance and Ethics Laws - Mark Cerel, Town Attorney 


The recording runs 3 hours and 8 minutes. Let’s listen to the Town Council meeting on July 19, 2023.  Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1043-town-council-mtg-08-16-23



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The agenda doc can also be found on the Town of Franklin page -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_aug_16_2023.pdf


My notes in one PDF file -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/17mCqfZ5ZEaL6jBcpFEFFOrqh8NrW6noP/view?usp=drive_link 


Town Council Quarterbacking with Chair Tom Mercer ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/08/this-town-council-quarterbacking.html


Franklin TV meeting video -> https://www.youtube.com/live/vlYIlCbc4hs 


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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  


This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

  • If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

  • If you don't like something here, please let me know


Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.


For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com


The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.


I hope you enjoy!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"


DPW team presenting to the Town Council 08/16/23
DPW team presenting to the Town Council 08/16/23

DPW layouts the multi-year infrastructure project costs to the Town Council
DPW layouts the multi-year infrastructure project costs to the Town Council

Saturday, August 19, 2023

The Guardian: 2 articles on PFAS

Drinking water of millions of Americans contaminated with ‘forever chemicals’

"Drinking water consumed by millions of Americans from hundreds of communities spread across the United States is contaminated with dangerous levels of toxic chemicals, according to testing data released on Thursday by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The data shows that drinking water systems serving small towns to large cities – from tiny Collegeville, Pennsylvania, to Fresno, California – contain measurable levels of so-called “forever chemicals”, a family of durable compounds long used in a variety of commercial products but that are now known to be harmful.

The water of as many as 26 million Americans is contaminated, according to an analysis of the new EPA data performed by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a Washington DC-based non-profit."
Continue reading online (subscription maybe required)
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/17/pfas-us-drinking-water-contaminated-forever-chemicals-epa

New data shows that about one-in-10 drinking water systems contain the two most notoriously dangerous forever chemicals. Photograph: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
New data shows that about one-in-10 drinking water systems contain the two most notoriously dangerous forever chemicals. Photograph: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

EPA’s new definition of PFAS could omit thousands of ‘forever chemicals’
"The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) office responsible for protecting the public from toxic substances has changed how it defines PFAS for a second time since 2021, a move critics say they fear will exclude thousands of “forever chemicals” from regulation and largely benefit industry.

Instead of using a clear definition of what constitutes a PFAS, the agency’s Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics plans to take a “case-by-case” approach that allows it to be more flexible in determining which chemicals should be subjected to regulations.
Equipment used to test for PFAS in drinking water.

Among other uses for the compounds, the EPA appears to be excluding some chemicals in pharmaceuticals and pesticides that are generally defined as PFAS, current and former EPA officials say, and the shift comes amid fierce industry opposition to proposed limits on the chemicals."
Continue reading online (subscription maybe required)

Tuesday, August 1, 2023

The "All About Sewer" series

These three sessions of the radio show share my conversation with Doug Martin, Franklin’s Water and Sewer Superintendent and Jake Standly, the Assistant Water/Sewer Superintendent. 


We had our conversation in the Franklin Public Radio studios on Hutchinson St.


This is one of three in a series exploring the status and operations of the Franklin’s Water & Sewer Division. During 2021, we did a 3-part series on the water supply. With the Beaver St interceptor project starting later this year, we decided to cover the sewer side of the business. A little more dirty talk although we do start out with some updates on water.


Part 1 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/07/all-about-town-of-franklin-sewer.html 


Part 2 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/07/all-about-town-of-franklin-sewer_02109748944.html


Part 3 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/07/all-about-town-of-franklin-sewer_0306615856.html



The 3 part water series can be found -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division/news/franklin-matters-conversations-doug-martin-jake-standley


Construction of the Beaver Street Interceptor. The houses in background are West Central Street, Panther Way area.

Construction of the Beaver Street Interceptor. The houses in background are West Central Street, Panther Way area.

Sunday, July 30, 2023

Have you read the Town of Franklin water quality report?

Each year, the Water & Sewer Division produces the Consumer Confidence Report. This provides an overview of the water system and the testing performed regularly to ensure the quality of Franklin's drinking water.

post card announcing the water quality report
post card announcing the water quality report


The Consumer Confidence Reports for this year and prior years can be found on the Town's webpage.
The three part audio series on the Water system can be found here ->