PFAS Stabilization Fund

Sue Pimental, the Director of Finance and Compliance, told the Rehoboth Board of Selectmen Monday about the need for a Special Purpose PFAS Stabilization account, which will be used for remediation.

Pimental said the town no longer has ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds to draw from. A reserve fund transfer of $100,000 was made a few months ago. However, half of that amount has already been spent.

It is estimated to cost the town  $250,000 - $300,000 annually for remediation.

“The EPA continues to lower the acceptable level of PFAS in water which will result in potentially more homes that will require filtration systems and maintenance,” Pimental said in January.  “In addition to the yearly cost of the filtration systems with the town, located at the Public Safety/Fire Station, Town Hall, Council on Aging and Health and Human Services buildings, the maintenance of those four are expected to cost at a minimum, $10 to $15,000 per year for each unit, in addition to increase water sampling and reporting to the DEP.”

“It’s a moving target,” said Selectman Lenny Mills. “(The government) keep making the requirements to refine the PFAS out of the water system stricter and stricter. This is an enormous liability for the town and it could grow larger. Let’s set up an account and prepare for this.”

Massachusetts mandates that PFAS drinking water levels not exceed 20 parts per trillion for a combination of all six regulated PFAS chemicals. This combination can include any percentage of these chemicals as long as the total sum is less than 20 parts per trillion.

In 2022, harmful chemicals were discovered in the wells which supply water to the Town Hall and the Fire Station on Anawan Street. The water in the Town Hall and Fire Station wells contained per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a category of thousands of man-made chemicals mainly used in consumer and industrial products, including non-stick cookware, mascara, food packaging, water and stain resistant materials and fire-fighting apparatus and foam. These chemicals have been referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their strong chemical bonds that take a long time to dissipate.

These chemicals can circulate in the human body and cause adverse health effects. These effects include fertility issues, heightened cholesterol, changes in immune systems, increased risk of some cancers, liver damage, developmental changes for children and fetuses, and increased risk of thyroid disease and asthma.