BOSTON — The communities of Abington, Holbrook, and Rockland were recently named by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection as recipients of a combined $200,000 in grant funding for immediate support efforts to address elevated levels of polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water.
“This welcome funding represents a small but meaningful step to addressing the PFAS pervasive in the South Shore, Massachusetts, and the United States,” said State Senator John Keenan (D-Quincy). “I look forward to continuing to partner with my local, state and federal colleagues to come up with the additional funding needed for a comprehensive solution so that the residents of Abington, Holbrook, and Rockland can have full confidence in the quality of their drinking water.”
The Abington and Rockland Joint Water Works is receiving $132,965 to pay for chemicals being used at local treatment plants for temporary PFAS removal, while Holbrook is receiving $67,800 to cover the cost of of water vending units for the public.
“The safety of our drinking water is of paramount importance, and PFAS is a contaminate that must be closely monitored and remediated,” said Speaker of the House Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “This grant program will support public water systems as they continue to address PFAS contamination and work to make our drinking water safe for future generations.”
“The Abington/Rockland Joint Water Works has received a grant that will address the ongoing PFAS water problems. The award will allow for much needed additional chemicals that will aide with the treatment plant for the temporary removal of PFAS from the water,” said State Representative Alyson Sullivan (R-Abington). “This will have a great impact on our communities here in Abington and Rockland. PFAS is something that has affected our community for some time now and this grant will ensure that our residents’ drinking water is safe. Thank you to the Administration for their tireless work and dedication to the Abington/Rockland Joint Water Works.”
MassDEP anticipates offering up to three rounds of funding through the Interim PFAS6 Response Grant Program. Public water supply systems can use the funds to purchase and distribute bottled water, install water vending machines, purchase water and/or establish interconnections to alternative water sources, or take any other immediate action to provide safe drinking water to PFAS6-impacted water users. To assist communities that have already expended funds to address elevated levels of PFAS6, reimbursement is available for eligible costs.
All community public water systems are required to test for PFAS6. Large public water supplies, those serving a population of 50,000 or more, were required to begin their initial PFAS6 tests as of January 1, 2021. Public water supplies serving populations between 10,000 and 50,000 began initial tests April 1, 2021, and those serving a population of less than 10,000 began testing on October 1, 2021. For additional information on the PFAS6 Response Grant Program, click here.
MassDEP’s mission is to protect and enhance the Commonwealth’s natural resources – air, water and land – to provide for the health, safety and welfare of all people, and a clean and safe environment for future generations. In carrying out this mission, MassDEP commits to address and advance environmental justice and equity for all people of the Commonwealth, provide meaningful, inclusive opportunities for people to participate in agency decisions that affect their lives, and ensure a diverse workforce that reflects the communities served by the agency.
State Senator John F. Keenan 