New Legislation Aims to Protect Drinking Water, Provide Financial Assistance for Private Well Testing Statewide

As MassDEP Studies Potential Program, Coalition for Safe Drinking Water Urges Bill Passage

Legislation filed this week would enable Massachusetts to develop minimum statewide water quality standards for private wells and expand a financial assistance program to remediate wells affected by PFAS (“forever chemicals”) and other harmful contaminants in drinking water supplies.

The filing of the bill (SD.847) by Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough) and Rep. Natalie Blais (D-Sunderland) was applauded by the Coalition for Safe Drinking Water, a grassroots group led by RCAP Solutions and supported by The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts that is focused on equitable access to clean and safe drinking water.

New Legislation Aims to Protect Drinking Water, Provide Financial Assistance for Private Well Testing Statewide

More than half a million Massachusetts residents – located heavily in rural areas but also in all 351 cities and towns – rely on private wells for their drinking water.  Yet many are consuming water that may be unsafe because the source is not regularly tested and treated like public water supplies and could have harmful contaminants such as PFAS, arsenic, radon, uranium and more.  A 2023 poll revealed that 92% of residents believe that state government should play a role in ensuring safe drinking water for all.

“As the Legislature continues to address PFAS contamination in communities across the state this session, it’s crucial that the hundreds of thousands of households relying on private well water have access to clean and safe drinking water,” said Sen. Eldridge.  “That’s why I’m proud to once again file legislation to empower the DEP to regulate private wells and establish a program to help homeowners test their wells for dangerous contaminants.”

The initiative gained momentum last year in the state budget process, with $100,000 appropriated to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) to conduct a study and make recommendations for a statewide program to ensure that drinking water from private wells is safe to consume.  The MassDEP study is currently in progress.

The newly filed legislation would grant the MassDEP clear authority to establish standards and define testing requirements for new and existing wells to ensure effective implementation.  Upon the sale of a home, a private well used for drinking water would have to pass a test for the transaction to be completed (similar to the state’s Title 5 septic system regulations).  The state would make resources available to assist eligible homeowners with the cost of well water upgrades.

“We applaud Senator Eldridge, Representative Blais, Representative Kilcoyne and Representative Sena for their leadership on this important issue.  Too many homeowners are not aware of what’s in their well water or how the presence of PFAS and other contaminants could harm their family’s health,” said Brian Scales, President & CEO of RCAP Solutions, a nonprofit community development corporation based in Worcester.

“Massachusetts residents who live in municipalities with public water systems have access to water that is tested and treated to meet state and federal standards, but those protections do not extend to those who rely on well water,” said Amie Shei, Ph.D., President & CEO of The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts.  “Wells require regular testing and maintenance, just as public water systems do, but not everyone is aware of the need or can afford these services – creating a regional equity issue that can be addressed through this legislation.”

RCAP Solutions’ Private Well Program to Protect Public Health, funded by The Health Foundation, conducted over 500 water quality tests of private wells across several Massachusetts communities from 2020 to 2022, finding that about a third of the wells contained levels of contaminants higher than state health standards or suggesting potential health risks.

For more information about the legislation and the Coalition for Safe Drinking Water, please visit www.whatsinyourwellwater.org.

About RCAP Solutions

RCAP Solutions is an integrated community development corporation working with a multi-faceted suite of services in communities throughout the northeastern part of the U.S. and the Caribbean. Established in 1969 (as Rural Housing Improvement), RCAP Solutions has supported the power and potential of communities for over half a century as strategists of community-wide well-being. Our mission is to foster personal and public self-reliance and improve the quality of life for individuals, families, and the communities in which they live. For more information, visit: www.rcapsolutions.org.

About The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts

The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts is dedicated to improving the health of those who live or work in Central Massachusetts, with particular emphasis on vulnerable populations and unmet needs.  Through its unique and impactful approach to grantmaking, The Health Foundation supports community-identified health issues, with health defined broadly to include social determinants of health and with a focus on promoting health equity.  As a health conversion foundation launched in 1999 following the sale of the not-for-profit HMO Central Massachusetts Health Care Inc.  The Health Foundation’s grants have totaled over $59 million to more than 230 unique organizations over its history.  For more information, visit www.thfcm.org.

Direct link to legislation -> https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/SD847 

Possible change in fluoridation practices with recent legal ruling

"For decades, drinking water fluoridation opponents were often portrayed as a fringe element and conspiracy theorists, but a federal ruling in the US may put an end to the practice and marks a pivotal point in their campaign to convince the public and policymakers of the substance’s dangers for infants’ developing brains.

Armed with a growing body of scientific evidence pointing toward fluoride’s neurotoxicity, public health advocates say the legal win shows they are overcoming “institutional inertia” and the unwillingness of federal public health agencies to admit they may have been wrong.

Possible change in fluoridation practices with recent legal ruling

The order last week requiring the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to begin the process of strengthening fluoride regulations represents a “landmark” legal win that has long been in the making, said Stuart Cooper, director of the Fluoridation Action Network advocacy group.

“After many years of them ignoring us and defending fluoridation, we had an opportunity to get a fair and balanced adjudication in courts,” Cooper said."

....

“The key takeaway for the public and public health community from this ruling is that it does not conclude with any certainty that fluoridated water is injurious to public health.” 

Shared from -> (subscription maybe required) 

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/04/fluoridation-water-epa-risk-assessement

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/

Franklin's Water Conservation Measures have ended for this 2024 calendar year

"Franklin Residents ~ In accordance with the Town’s Water Management Act Permit Water Conservation Restrictions have ENDED.

Residents are always encouraged to protect the future of our national and local water supply through water-efficient practices within your home and daily habits.

Please see our website for more information:

https://www.franklinma.gov/water.../pages/water-conservation

Thank you for your cooperation!"

Note: The operative word is "conservation."  These measures occur every year due to the state permit we have. A couple of times we have gone into the "water ban" status; once due to the fire at the well and another time due to drought conditions.

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/TGV5VKeMr7KS1B5E/

You can also hear about the water system from well to faucet in a 3-part podcast series  -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/09/town-of-franklin-all-about-water-system.html

Franklin's Water Conservation Measures have ended for this 2024 calendar year

Town of Franklin: All about the water system, yes we have enough (audio)

Continuing to find and share golden nuggets from the archives, we have this 3-part audio series on the water system covering all aspects from the well head to your faucet.

You can also find the 3-part series on the Town of Franklin page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division/news/franklin-matters-conversations-doug-martin-jake-standley

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FM #588 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 588 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 Dept. 

Part 1 - approx. 30 minutes

• A brief on Doug and Jake’s Franklin ‘story’

• New treatment plant, now operational, treating Wells 3 and 6; Well 6 is really a well field (of six separate wells)

• Difference between registration and permitted amount to draw

• Overall well status and supply (well summary on water report)

• Water conservation measures are a ‘forever’ thing right? (per the permit from DEP)

• Town wells draw from 40-50 feet where most private wells can draw from a 300-500 foot depth; if you have a private well, please put out a sign if you use it for irrigation

• Finances on water rate and sewer rate calculations, aside from private wells and septic systems, it is usage based billing

• Fire Dept working very closely with them on hydrant maintenance and water pressure opportunity areas to work towards an increase in the ISO certification for the Fire department; hydrant signage being added to help especially when out communities respond to help

• E-coli hit on well 2A, notification only discussed; test result was from the ‘raw’ side of the water, not the ‘treated side’ of the supply; “the ground is just a big old filter, and when you get 6-8 inches of rain the ground just can't handle it”

• The process worked, the testing and system ensures good water is being delivered all the time

• PFAS testing currently State funded; testing at parts per trillion, not million as with most other; PFAS is pervasive; Testers can’t use Teflon pans or Tupperware before taking test sample (to avoid contamination of the sample)

The show notes include links to the Franklin Water Dept. page and other references.

Let’s listen to this part of my conversation with Doug and Jake and learn all about Franklin’s water supply.

Audio File -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/a7deabf6-08b9-41d8-820c-8bee1aa437db

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Part 2 - approx. 38 minutes

• Permit process 20 years, midway through this one

• Overall water usage per capita for Franklin is among the best in the state (~45-49gpp vs ~65gpp)

• Unaccounted for water and meter standards, Franklin is a model community for this

• Infiltration annual testing uses a “stethoscope for the road”

• Town owns from the water main to the curb stop (water service shut off from street); Town also owns the meter

• Meter read via radio today, may eventually get to an automatic send to a data collector; used to take 2 guys a month to read, now it takes one only a week to read the meters

• WaterSmart system data based upon readings monthly; billing readings are monthly

• Rebates available for high efficiency water use appliances

• Annual Water report - highlights by section

• Reference to working without the incredible asset of Dave Allard, now retired; 4 hours of a brain dump didn’t catch it all but he still answers the phone when they call

• Key items explained, testing process, negligible results are shown for 20 or so items, another 100+ are tested with no findings, PFAS testing added per state DEP regs

• Difference between water testing done by Town vs. Water bottles available in retail (FDA vs. DEP/EPA regulations)

• Thanks to the 61 residents for participating in the lead and copper special testing required (lead goose necks)

• WaterSmart website, Individual usage can be monitored, Leak detection service

The show notes include links to the Franklin Water Dept. page and other references.

Let’s listen to this part of my conversation with Doug and Jake and learn all about Franklin’s water supply.

Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/a148dcea-1db5-49f2-b11c-e302009de27f

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

Part 3 - approx. 28 minutes

• Water treatment process flow on last page of “Consumer Confidence Report”  CCR

• CCR only shows what was found when tested

• Programed with multiple fail safes, if deviation occurs outside of range, it shuts down

• Safe in that it is also closed, no internet access to system controls

• All of the water system is managed by four guys; Licenses required, continuing education required annually, training provided/supported by Town

• Water enterprise account, Usage based services, quarterly billing per usage

• Capital projects funded from ratepayers

• Work to prepare for water and sewer line replacements as part of rebuilding the roads

• Retained balance of $1M as a practice for “in case”

• Increase reliability of SCADA system by switching to fiber from radio wave

• Good to know; the water sewer world of infrastructure is a thing for consideration - job security and regular challenges; the industry is facing 60% of the workforce retiring in the next 10 years

The show notes include links to the Franklin Water Dept. page and other references.

Let’s listen to this part of my conversation with Doug and Jake and learn all about Franklin’s water supply.

Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/3e921c80-30d7-4f9b-bd36-a8becc68be90

Town of Franklin: All about the water system, yes we have enough (audio)

Notice of Intent - Fisher Street Wells 2, 2A and 2B - Conservation

Town of Franklin

Conservation Commission

Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Ch. 131, s.40 (Wetlands Protection Act), the Franklin Conservation Commission will hold a Hybrid Public Hearing on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at 7:09 PM for a Notice of Intent filed by Magdalena Lofstedt of CDM Smith Inc., Boston, MA on behalf of the Town of Franklin Department of Public Works. 

The project proposes to excavate short shallow trenches for the installation of venture flowmeters at existing wells 2, 2A, and 2B. Approximately 175 square feet (sf) of work is proposed within the 100-foot Buffer Zone to Bordering Vegetated Wetlands (BVW), of which part of the work is proposed within the 25- to 50-foot Buffer Zone to BVW. Additionally, approximately 175 sf of work is proposed within Bordering Land Subject to Flooding (BLSF). 

The Project is located at 100 Public Works Way, Map 288 Parcel 001, in the Rural Residential I Zone.

The hearing will provide an open forum for the discussion. This meeting will be done remotely via the “ZOOM” platform and “In-person” in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street. Residents can visit the Town Website (www.franklinma.gov) and click on the Town Calendar for up to date information on how to access the meeting. 

All records and files for this project can be viewed at the Conservation Office located on the first floor of the Franklin Municipal Building.

Any person or organization so wishing will be afforded an opportunity to be heard. The hearing location is accessible to persons with physical disabilities. If you require a translator or accommodations for a hearing impairment, contact the Conservation Department at the Municipal Building or by calling (508) 520-4929.

Jeff Livingstone

Conservation Chair

Notice of Intent - Fisher Street Wells 2, 2A and 2B - Conservation

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

Call for Water

  I

When thirsty, your body signals a call for water

A turn of the faucet, or a flush of the toilet, starts a call for water

The signal may require a long walk, to the well, or stream,

To return with a full yellow container to answer the call for water

The faucet at the sink will start the flow through the pipes

in the house, the street, pump, or water tower to answer the call for water

When the hot water faucet is turned, the water flows under pressure,

with a diversion through heating coils, to answer the call for water

When the toilet is flushed, the water flows carrying the refuse liquid

and, or solid, before refilling the device in the call for water

The refuse, liquid and solid, moves through gravity flow pipes

to get processed before returning to the stream to answer the call for water

  II

Science tells us human males are about 60% water, females about 55%,

which shows why we need to respond to the call for water

The earth's surface is about 70% water but 97% of that is salt water

requiring treatment before answering the call for water

We have to take care of the 3% fresh water, use it as needed,

conserve it to help with the call for water

Science can help determine a good economic process

for conversion of salt water to better answer the call for water

We need to foster those scientific efforts, and trust the science,

as it evolves to provide a solution to the call for water

There are those among us near and far, who need shorter walks,

or better access, to answer the call for water

So Sherlock, are you all wet yet? Or will you help Frank,

and Lynn when they initiate their call for water?

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

originally shared at quietpoet.com/

https://www.quietpoet.com/2023/12/call-for-water.html

During 2021, I was able to record a three-part series on the Franklin water system. My conversation with Doug Martin, Franklin’s Water and Sewer Superintendent and Jake Standly, the Assistant Water/Sewer Superintendent has aged well. Some of the numbers may change but the overall process we review doesn't change much.

The three-part audio series can be found here ->

• https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/08/fm-588-franklin-ma-dpw-water-series.html
• https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/08/fm-589-franklin-ma-dpw-water-series.html
• https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/08/fm-590-franklin-ma-dpw-water-series.html

three-part series on the Franklin water system

During 2023, I was able to record a three-part series on the sewer side of the business. Doug Martin, Franklin’s Water and Sewer Superintendent and Jake Standly, the Assistant Water/Sewer Superintendent, joined me again as we talked about the flushing side of the side handling our waste water.

• https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/07/all-about-town-of-franklin-sewer.html
• https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/07/all-about-town-of-franklin-sewer_02109748944.html
• https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/07/all-about-town-of-franklin-sewer_0306615856.html

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

DRINKING WATER NOTICE - November 23, 2022

Attention Water Customers - Please see the public notice below: 

This is NOT a boil water notice.  During routine sampling, the sample from our Well 2 Raw (UNTREATED) water contained E.coli.  The treated (disinfected) water from Well 2 and all other samples collected through the distribution system did not have E. Coli.  The well has been offline since November 18, 2022 for maintenance and will remain offline. 

This is not an emergency, you do NOT need to boil your water or take other corrective actions at this time, but we are required to notify you. Please see the notice below for more information. 

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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 November 21, 2022 our water system was notified that a water sample collected on November 15, 2022 from Well #2 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. This well was taken off-line for maintenance on November 18, 2022.

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 November 15, 2022 in the distribution system did NOT detect any fecal contaminants.

This source is one of thirteen 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.

where all the wells are located in Franklin

For more information and further updates, please contact Douglas Martin, Water & Sewer Superintendent, at 508-520-4910.

PWSID#:2101000 Date Distributed: November 23, 2022

Read more

Where is Well 2?  The map as part of the Consumer Confidence Report for Fiscal Year 2021 shows where all the wells are located. ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/pages/franklin_ma_ccr_2022_web_final_052722_0.pdf

Listen to the 3-part podcast series on the water cycle, hear how it is processed from the well to your faucet.   -> https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division/news/franklin-matters-conversations-doug-martin-jake-standley