The Water & Sewer Advisory Board on Wednesday reviewed data that showed that the PFAS filtration system has been effective at keeping PFAS levels below the allowable limit.

Chair Paul Gallagher took information he gleaned from the state’s Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to form an analysis of the effectiveness of the PFAS filtration at Well 6, the town’s main water supply. He integrated about 5,000 lines of data into a presentation that showed sharp declines in PFAS, particularly after the granulated activated carbon filtration system was installed in December 2025.

“The data shows that there is a significant magnitude of safety,” he explained.

Well 6 was outfitted with a water filtration system in June 2024 in response to elevated levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances known as PFAS in the water. This system was designed to remove PFAS to levels reliably and consistently below the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and Environmental Protection Agency maximum contaminant levels.

The maximum contaminant level for PFAS content in public drinking water is 20 nanograms per liter, or parts per trillion, according to the state website. Six specific PFAS are monitored.

PFAS levels in water have been an ongoing concern for the town. Known as “forever chemicals,” these synthetic, potentially harmful chemicals used since the 1940s can be found in a wide variety of household products and industrial processes.

Gallagher noted that there was a bump in PFAS levels shortly before the Department of Public Works replaced the filters. The filters originally were expected to last for 18 months, but the analysis showed they needed to be replaced at 14 months.

As of this month, levels are creeping back up, he added. They are now at 15 ppt, which is below the state’s allowable level.

This may indicate that a filter change will be on the horizon, Gallagher said.

“A huge misconception is that it’s dangerous right now,” said member Rob Scott, noting residents question him “all the time” about PFAS levels. “It’s not dangerous now.”

“This should give residents peace of mind,” added member Donald Sutherland.

Drought magnitude decreases

Gallagher said the town’s water conservation strategy remains in effect as the region still id experiencing a drought.

He noted that as of Sept. 10, the drought status declined to “mild” from “critical drought.”

“The wells are still struggling,” Scott said of information he received from Water/Sewer Superintendent Jed Fenneuff. “There’s been no improvement.”

Scott praised residents for heeding the efforts of the town and WSAB members to encourage water conservation. Water usage is down after the town repeatedly stressed that lawn watering, vehicle washing, pool filling and other nonessential water usage is prohibited.

Said Scott: “One heartening thing is that the campaign that got going towards the public is working.”

Water/sewer billing still delayed

Members commented on the continued delay in issuing water and sewer bills for those on the town water system. The town has been working on integrating a new billing software system into existing meter monitoring software. While bills have been delayed for several months, the Department of Public Works expects invoices to be issued in October. There will be no penalties or fees assessed to customers who pay within 30 days of the bill issuance.

Sutherland noted that an informal survey showed that “most [communities] are quarterly billed.”

Added Sutherland: “That’s the goal.”

Scott proposed that the new bills show residents their water consumption rates in gallons rather than in cubic feet, as well as the average use per day. This would make it easier for residents to understand their habits and adjust them, he pointed out.

“Right now, they might as well be written in Mandarin,” he said. “People don’t understand cubic feet. They’re not going to take the time to compute that.”