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

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."

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/RUdtTv2uRDCUbz6u/

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

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) -> 

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/aug/13/world-health-organization-pfas-drinking-water-health-guidelines

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

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)

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/jul/23/pfas-pesticides-epa-research

A person sprays pesticide in Miami Beach, Florida, in 2016. Photograph: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

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 ->

https://www.mma.org/epa-designates-two-pfas-chemicals-as-hazardous-under-cercla/ 

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

https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division/pages/and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas-drinking-water

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

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

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

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!

------------------

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

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

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)

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/18/epa-new-definition-pfas-forever-chemicals

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.

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

The Consumer Confidence Reports for this year and prior years can be found on the Town's webpage.

• The current report ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/franklinccr2022_updated.pdf
• The archive for all reports -> https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division/pages/consumer-confidence-reports

The three part audio series on the Water system can be found here ->

• Part 1 - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/08/fm-588-franklin-ma-dpw-water-series.html
• Part 2 - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/08/fm-588-franklin-ma-dpw-water-series.html
• Part 3 - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/08/fm-590-franklin-ma-dpw-water-series.html

All about the Town of Franklin Sewer Services - part 3 of 3 (audio)

FM #1028 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1028 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares 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 - approx. 25 minutes

• PFAS - the EPA is looking to update their regulation

• Mitigation of PFAS for Well 7 is costly and starting later this year

• If the proposed regulations go through, it will be more costly as "60% of our water sources are currently above that (proposed) threshold"

• Likely water rate increase coming in a future year (TBD)

• New diagram shows lines of responsibility for water (and sewer) between Town and property owners

• What to flush or not flush (3 p's - poop, pee & (toilet) paper)

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

Part 2 - approx. 42 minutes

• We get into the core of the sewer system, historical design (or lack thereof)

• Beaver St interceptor, construction overview and project plan

• System capacity (both water & sewer), annual conservation measures

• Oct 14 - Touch a Truck, hydrant painting, snow plow naming contest, and reveal of communication plan for the Beaver St construction project

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

Part 3 - approx. 27 minutes

• We get to the sewer budget and rate increases approved for FY 2024, FY 2025, FY 2026

• Review of the projects being completed or being worked, and planned for near term

• Sahlin circle (final touches)

• Monterrey Dr off Pleasant St (Jan/Feb - awaiting pump delivery)

• Phase 7 lining - this summer

• next level of I&I study

• asset mgt grant

• easement clearing & mapping

• Good things about the community cooperation

• Last but not least mention of the lead service connections (not supposed to be many)

The final section includes a budget recap which summaries as the following:

• $500K for expenses, 

• approx. $1M for personnel

• $3.4M for Charles River flow and assessment

• $1M for project debt and interest payments

The show notes include links to the Franklin water & sewer division page 

Let’s listen to this part of my conversation with Doug and Jake and learn all about Franklin’s sewer services. Audio Part 3 -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1027-tof-all-about-sewer-series-06-14-23-part-2-of-3

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Water Sewer Division - https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division

Water Smart program ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division/pages/welcome-watersmart-program

Leak or Blockage diagram of lines of responsibility between Town and property owners for water and sewer service  https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division/pages/have-leak-or-blockage

Consumer Confidence Reports -> archive   = https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division/pages/consumer-confidence-reports

Charles River Pollution Control https://www.franklinma.gov/charles-river-pollution-control   and https://www.charlesriverpcd.org/ 

Charles River Update to Town Council begins at 57:50 in the Franklin TV meeting video for May 3, 2023  ->  https://www.youtube.com/live/mhRDmkdk7og

Beaver St interceptor update to Town Council begins at 1:36:30  in the same meeting video https://www.youtube.com/live/mhRDmkdk7og

The most recent PFAS update to Town Council begins at 1:52:56 in the same meeting video https://www.youtube.com/live/mhRDmkdk7og

-----------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm). 

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!

------------------

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

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