Second Southwick water test finds small amounts of PFAS

Date: 5/11/2021

SOUTHWICK – Department of Public Works Director Randy Brown announced during the May 6 Water Commissioners meeting that confirmatory tests concluded that there is a very small amount of polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the town’s water. Brown said that the sample was taken in early April and confirmed the results of an earlier test that first detected a small amount of PFAS. The early test found 4.93 parts-per-trillion (PPT) of PFAS compounds in water sampled from Well 1 and zero detection of PFAS in Well 2. He said the results from the second test were very similar to those of the first. “There was another detect, but it was small enough that it is below the threshold where we are required to do anything,” said Brown. He said that there was a detection in Well 2 as well, but the results were below the reporting limit. Southwick will be required to start regular PFAS testing of the water this fall, per state guidelines. Quarterly samples of the water supply will be tested for PFAS. After one year of quarterly testing, the rate of required testing will depend on the concentration of PFAS that is detected. If the number is found to be below 10PPT, they will only need to conduct follow-up testing every six months. During the April 1 Water Commission meeting Brown said that he is unsure of what is the source of the PFAS in Southwick’s water. The substances can be found in a lot of products that are manufactured today, including pizza boxes with wax coatings, waterproof clothing and teflon tape. Neighboring Westfield has had significant PFAS issues in recent years. The source of Westfield’s contamination is believed to have been the firefighting foam used at Westfield Barnes Air National Guard. Brown said that Southwick has little to worry about with the very small amount of PFAS in the water. “It’s not good news that we have PFAS, but it is good that there is nothing else to do but continue to monitor,” said Brown.