Merrimack Valley News

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) issued a new drinking water regulation that limits the sum of six PFAS compounds (known as the PFAS6) to 20 parts per trillion (ppt).

The new drinking water standard requires public water suppliers to test for the presence of PFAS6. DEP recommends consumers in sensitive populations, including pregnant or nursing women, infants under one year of age and people diagnosed by their health care provider to have a compromised immune system not to consume, drink or cook with water when the level of PFAS6 is above 20 ppt. These individuals are advised to use alternative sources of water such as bottled water tested for PFAS6.

The City of Woburn will be offering a residential rebate program only for qualifying customers in the previously mentioned sensitive populations to offset the cost of purchasing bottled water. The rebate program will work as follows:

1.) A household/unit with a resident in a sensitive population (defined above) will be eligible for a $30.00 credit /month (only one credit per household/unit)

2.) A check will be mailed semiannually for any quarter the city is DEP non-compliant.

3.) You must re-apply every six months after issuance of semiannual water bill (February and August).

4.) From January 1, 2022 thru June 30, 2022 (1st and 2nd quarter) the City complied with the new state standard.

5.) The rebate program for the 3rd and 4th QUARTER (which is for the water billing period from July 1, 2022 thru December 31, 2022) will open in February of 2023.

6.) The City was non-compliant in the 3rd quarter (7/1/22 thru 9/30/22), a rebate in the amount of $90.00 will be available for qualifying customers.

7.) The City complied with the DEP standard for the 4th quarter (10/1/22 thru 12/31/22). See https://www.woburnma.gov/water-pfas-testing-results/

This rebate program is not intended to operate as a guarantee regarding any exposure to PFAS6 and does not imply that it limits exposure to PFAS from other sources, nor does it operate as an admission of liability by the City if exposure to PFAS6 does occur. The City reserves the sole right to change the terms of rebate program at any time.

To qualify for this rebate program, you need to provide written proof from a medical professional that you fall into one of sensitive populations defined above. Letter does not need to specify which group you fall into and why, but you will need to identify which resident qualifies for this rebate. You do not need a new medical letter if you have already been approved and received a rebate.

Proof of residency by water bill, tax bill or signed lease. Birth certificate for child under one year old. You will need to provide an update for proof of residency regardless of prior approval.

The application is online only and will require you to upload documents. Please do not mail or drop off your application. If you need assistance please call the Water Department 781-897-5945

Original source can be found here.