The North Chelmsford Water District Water Treatment Facility located at 55 Richardson Road, has been doing monthly PFAS water samples since high elevated levels of PFAS Contaminants were discovered on October 11, 2020 at the Chelmsford DPW and the Chelmsford Dog park located at 52 & 54 Richardson Road. This mandated the Town of Chelmsford to report the findings to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), Bureau of Waste Site Clean-up. The Town of Chelmsford had one year from that date to have an approved plan under the Massachusetts Contingency Plan, (MCP). The Immediate Response Action Plan, (IRA) the Consultant proposed is best available technology to lower the PFAS contamination under the Massachusetts DEP Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 20 ng/L. The Town Consultant Engineer, Weston & Sampson, proposed to Pump, Treat and Re-inject the treated water back into the aquifer and test frequently to ensure this method is achieving the PFAS removal. The plan has been approved by the MassDEP and the Town of Chelmsford and must be completed in six months and starts the long anticipated PFAS removal process. The North Chelmsford Water District reviewed the plan and concurred with the recommendations.
The North Chelmsford Water District being proactive, replaced the Granular Activated Carbon (GAC), in both pressure filter vessels at the water treatment facility in November 2019 thereby removing all PFAS6 contaminants at the point of entry into the water distribution system until May 05, 2021 when PFAS6 started to breakthrough in the GAC filters. The water is currently below the MCL of 20 ng/L and is in full compliance with state and federal regulations. The North Chelmsford Water District is scheduled to do another total GAC change out in both pressure filter vessels the week of January 17, 2022.