GROVELAND – Superintendent Colin Stokes, the Groveland Water and Sewer Department, and the Board of Water Commissioners share the following information on potentially purchasing water from the City of Haverhill to meet water quality regulation changes.
Groveland Water and Sewer is proactively researching options to ensure that the Town meets the new guidelines for water quality which has been adopted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), on April 10, 2024. Once the new regulations are accepted by the State, Groveland will be expected to take immediate action.
The current regulations for PFAS public drinking water standard or Maximum Contaminant Level (MMCL), as published in 2020 by EPA, is 20 nanograms per liter (ng/L) or parts per trillion (ppt). As of March 2023, the EPA released a proposed National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for PFOA and PFOS, which is 4 ppt. This includes four additional PFAS compounds, which will be measured using a Hazard Index.
Groveland is currently well below the standard for the MMCL. Monthly samples taken since 2021 show steady results of 4.1075 ppt at Well 1 and 4.392 ppt at Well 3. Groveland will need to act to meet the pending 4 ppt action level once it goes into effect.
Groveland Water and Sewer is considering several options including purchasing water from Haverhill. Haverhill water tests below the pending 4 ppt action level. The City recently upgraded its Water Filtration Plant. Groveland purchased water from Haverhill in the 1960s before the town drilled wells and built water towers.
Groveland Water and Sewer is investigating the engineering of this option, and what equipment may be needed to deliver water from Haverhill to Groveland.
The Groveland Water and Sewer Commission and the City of Haverhill need to approve any purchase.
Other options include finding sufficient new water well sources in town or building a new water treatment facility.
All projects will be funded strictly through Water and Sewer Bill revenue. Residents’ property tax bills will not increase.
As a result of the EPA’s adoption of the new fedreal regulations, Groveland will have five years to be in compliance with those new regulations. Massachusetts is in the process of adjusting the MassDEP regulations to mirror the new Federal EPA regulations. Massachusetts also has the option to adopt more stringent regulations if they see fit. The new regulations will affect residents across the nation who rely on town and city water.
The timeline, as provided by the EPA is as follows:
- Within three years of rule promulgation (2024 – 2027): Initial monitoring must be complete.
- Starting three years following rule promulgation (2027 – 2029): Results of initial monitoring must be included in annual Consumer Confidence Reports.
- Regular monitoring or compliance must begin, and results of compliance monitoring must be included in Consumer Confidence Reports.
- Public notification for monitoring and testing violation.
- Starting five years following rule promulgation (starting 2029): Compliance with all MCLs, Public notification of MCL violations.
Further information about this process will be shared with residents as it becomes available.
To view frequently asked questions about the regulation changes click here.
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