Seekonk Water District Schedules Special Meeting for December 8

The Seekonk Water District has scheduled a special meeting on Monday, December 8. 

The purpose is to transfer $900,000 from the Money Market Investment Account to the PFAS Remediation Account. 

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of human-made chemicals that make products non stick, stain-resistant, and waterproof. First developed in the 1940s, they have been widely used in hundreds of industries. Unfortunately, we now know that minute amounts of PFAS can be toxic. There is evidence that PFAS suppress the immune system, making vaccines less effective. They can also increase the risk of cancer, liver disease, birth defects, and other health conditions. Despite not even existing before the 1940s, PFAS are in the blood of 98 percent of Americans and these chemicals have contaminated air, water, land, and wildlife worldwide.

According to the Environmental Working Group’s 2024 drinking water quality report based on tests conducted by the water district, Seekonk had 16 contaminants which exceeded EWG’s health guidelines. These contaminants include Bromodichloromethane, Chloroform, Chromium, Trichloroacetic acid, and Dibromoactic acid .Elevated levels of PFAS have been found in 115 drinking water systems across Massachusetts, as of April 2022. Data on PFAS in Massachusetts drinking water can be found at: https://eeaonline.eea.state.ma.us/portal#!/search/drinking-water.

The meeting will begin at 6 pm at the Water Lane garage.