Due to the decreasing stream flow in the Charles River and lack of rainfall it is the responsibility for compliance with our Water Management Act Permit, the Town of Medfield is instituting a town-wide conservation restriction for nonessential water use beginning immediately. The restriction will be categorized at a Tier 2 level which states the following:
“Tier 2” “Streamflow Triggered Restrictions based on Water Management Act Permit” “Nonessential water use allowed every other day. Even numbered addresses will be allowed to lawn water on even numbered calendar days. Odd numbered addresses will be allowed to lawn water on odd numbered calendar days.” “Lawn watering allowed outside the hours of 9am to 5pm on designated day.”
Residents are asked to visit the town’s website frequently for updates to this restriction.
Information about Water Restrictions:
When elevated restrictions are in place, nonessential outdoor water uses that are subject to mandatory restrictions include:
Irrigation of lawns via sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems;
Washing of vehicles, except in a commercial car wash or as necessary for operator safety;
Washing of exterior building surfaces, parking lots, driveways or sidewalks, except as necessary to apply surface treatments such as paint, preservatives, stucco, pavement or cement.
Water uses not subject to mandatory restrictions are those required:
For health or safety reasons;
By regulation;
For the production of food and fiber;
For the maintenance of livestock;
To meet the core functions of a business (for example, irrigation by plant nurseries as necessary to maintain stock).
Posted onMay 28, 2025|Comments Off on PFAS in Medfield
Email update today on PFAS in Medfield from Bill Harvey, Chair of the Water and Sewerage Board –
Dear Select Board,
The Water and Sewerage Board composed and maintains a summary document regarding PFAS in drinking water for easy reference for all boards, committees, Town departments and the general public. It is posted on the Town’s website.
The US EPA recently changed its regulations regarding PFAS in drinking water. The update to this document is attached to reflect these changes, and the inserted passages are highlighted in yellow for your reading ease. In short, some of the US EPA regulations have been removed, two more years of compliance has been enacted, but however, MA DEP regulations may be revised in the future which may be more stringent that the US EPA regulations, which is not uncommon.
We are also in the process in integrating a capital plan for both water and sewerage systems that have been recommended from the recently complete 20 year master plan studies for each system. Some of these investments are going to be significant with water needing retrofitting to ameliorate potential low flow for fire fighting situations and replacement of many miles of old cast iron pipe. Tthe sewerage system will need replacement of sewerage lines to reduce groundwater inflow into the sewerage mains and a significant upgrade to the treatment systems due to its age and to reliably meet discharge regulations
We expect that the first phase of this plan to be started in FY29, and will take advantage of bond issuance for the next school investment for both water and sewerage. Our next Board meeting in a few weeks will be meeting with the Enterprise Committee on creating a detailed capital plan and new rates to ramp revenues based on these capital expenditures on the horizon.
I though you would like to be apprised, and I am available to discuss this with you if you like.
With best regards,
Bill Harvey
Chair, Medfield Board Water and Sewerage
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PFAS Summary for Town of Medfield Drinking Water System
21 May 2025
Summary:
The Town of Medfield is in compliance with the current Mass DEP regulations regarding maximum contaminant levels for PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in its drinking water supply.
On 10 April 2024, the US EPA promulgated its own allowable maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for PFAS compounds. In general, the limits established by the US EPA are much more stringent and even more specific than the current Mass DEP regulations.
On 14 May 2025, the US EPA announced[1] the following changes to the current National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR):
To continue to enforce existing regulations of 5 parts per trillion for each compound
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and
Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS)
Its intention to rescind four of the six measures from the 2024 PFAS MCLs (PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA (commonly known as GenX), and the Hazard Index mixture of these three plus PFBS).
Proposed an extension of compliance from 2029 to 2031
States are required to establish regulations that are no less stringent than the federal standards within two years of the promulgation of the federal MCL, with the possibility of an extension of up to two years.
The Town has been advised that new, more stringent regulations are forthcoming from the Mass DEP. Therefore, the Medfield Board of Water and Sewerage thinks it is prudent for the Town to await regulatory clarity from the DEP prior to initiating actions for additional treatment or handling methods to any of its well sources.
Background:
In 2020 the State of Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), put in force a regulation for the maximum level of six chemical compounds, commonly referred to the “PFAS” family which are allowable in drinking water systems in Massachusetts. This regulation was installed absent a regulation by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for these compounds at that time.
The Town of Medfield, as per DEP monitoring regulations, has been sampling Town well waters for these compounds, and all the Town’s wells have been compliant with the current DEP quality regulations.
On 10 April 2024, the EPA promulgated its own limits for this PFAS family of compounds in drinking water. The EPA established limits for some of the same PFAS compounds as the DEP, it did not include some others, and it has listed additional compounds not considered previously in the DEP regulations. Furthermore, the method of calculating to the compliance of the compounds with the EPA regulations differs with the method used by the DEP in its regulations. In general, the new limits established by the EPA are much more stringent and even more specific than the current DEP regulations. The DEP estimates that 30% of MA water systems will need to treat or abandon water sources if the EPA regulations are adopted by the DEP.
On 14 May 2025, the US EPA supported the limits of PFOA and PFOS as promulgated in 2024, except that it intends to rescind four other measures: PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA (commonly known as GenX), and the Hazard Index mixture of these three plus PFBS.
With the 14 May 2025 announcement by the US EPA, it is unclear the number of Massachusetts communities that will need to address PFAS to meet the PFOA and PFOS limits. Based on the PFOA and PFOS limits of 4 parts per trillion for each compound, it is anticipated that Medfield will need to address PFAS in at least two wells (Well 1 and Well 2).
Furthermore, the DEP may promulgate more stringent regulations, as per the DEP PFAS website: [2]
“States are required to establish regulations that are no less stringent than the federal standards within two years of the promulgation of the federal MCL, with the possibility of an extension of up to two years…. MassDEP will be proposing amendments to its PFAS regulations to be at least as stringent as the EPA MCLs and will be holding public hearings to receive public input on this proposal.”
A feasibility study was proactively prepared in 2022 for treatment strategies and costs for the Town’s drinking water sources in case action is required by the Town.
The Town of Medfield is in compliance with the current DEP regulations but the Town has been advised that new, more stringent regulations are forthcoming from the DEP. Therefore, it is prudent for the Town to await regulatory clarity from the DEP prior to initiating actions for additional treatment or handling methods to any of its well sources.
The state tells Medfield when it has to employ watering bans, and the state uses the water level in the Charles River as one measure of when such water bans are required. This graph shows the water level in the Charles River over the past year. I do see that the data is from the federal government, so it is possible that data may not be available in the future.
Medfield needs to regulate the water usage of private wells in town, as low water levels are a shared issue. I hope the private wells annual town meeting (ATM) warrant article that subjected the 87 private wells in town to bans which was recently withdrawn can get enacted next year.
Due to a water main break near 266 Main St and Rolling Lane, water service will be temporarily shut off to isolate and repair the break. We are working diligently to resolve the isssue.
Once water service is restored, we recommend running a cold tap to flush out any brown water that may occur.
If you have any questions or need further information, please don’t hesitate to contact us at 508-906-3003.
We are currently experiencing water-related issues in town, including a drop in water pressure and discolored water. Our team is actively investigating the situation and working on resolving it as quickly as possible.
As soon as we identify the issue, we will provide an update.
We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time. Please check back for further updates.
Notice: Water Main Break – Hartford Street & Main Street
There is a water main break in the area of 2 Hartford Street. Water service may be interrupted later today while repairs are being made. We advise all traffic to avoid the area to minimize congestion.
Water will be restored to the area as soon as possible. We will provide updates as necessary.
After the repair is made if you are experiencing discolored water, please flush your system with cold water only until it clears.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to resolve the issue. View it on website
Comments Off on Water Main Break – Hartford Street & Main Street
Due to the streamflow of the Charles River gauge being under the Town’s threshold based on Medfield’s Water Management Act Permit, we are required to implement a Tier 2 Streamflow Triggered Restriction. For more information: https://town.medfield.net/1893/Water-Conservation-Restrictions…
Posted onOctober 14, 2022|Comments Off on Well #4 taken off-line due to E.coli detected at well – no E.coli tested in distribution system – NO HEALTH RISK
DRINKING WATER NOTICE To all users of the Medfield Water Department located in Medfield, Massachusetts
We routinely monitor for the presence of drinking water contaminants to ensure the safety of the water supply.
On October 13, 2022, our water system was notified that a water sample collected on October 12, 2022 from Well #4 tested positive for E.coli, which is a fecal indicator. Fecal indicators are used to detect groundwater sources that may be susceptible to fecal contamination which may contain harmful viruses or bacteria. When we learned of the fecal positive sample, THE WELL WAS IMMEDIATELY TAKEN OFFLINE.
The water delivered to your taps through the distribution system is disinfected with chlorine to kill viruses and bacteria, including E.coli. It is important to note that samples collected on October 12, 2022 in the distribution system did NOT detect any fecal contaminants.
This source is one of four active wells that supplies drinking water to our system. In accordance with the federal Ground Water Rule (GWR) requirements, we are notifying you of the situation and conducting additional sampling to evaluate the extent of potential fecal contamination and will take further actions as necessary.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO? WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
This is not anemergency, you do NOT need to boil your water or take other corrective actions at this time.
The USEPA requires us to provide you with this notice and the following information on fecal indicators: “Fecal indicators are microbes whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems.” These symptoms can also be caused by issues unrelated to drinking water. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, or, if you have specific health concerns, you may want to discuss such concerns with your doctor. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 or https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/safe-drinking-water-hotline
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and Businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
WHAT IS BEING DONE?
The well will remain offline for further evaluation. Our system is undergoing repeat testing and evaluation to determine if the current level of treatment is adequate or if additional corrective actions are necessary to reduce the risk of potential fecal contamination in our drinking water supply.
We are in contact with MassDEP during this process who will evaluate the effectiveness of the steps taken and determine if any further action is required. If necessary, you will be notified again if you need to take any corrective actions. This notice does not affect persons using private drinking water wells.
For more information and further updates, please contact Moe Goulet, DPW Director at mgoulet@medfield.net 508 906 3311 or visit our website at town.medfield.net
Comments Off on Well #4 taken off-line due to E.coli detected at well – no E.coli tested in distribution system – NO HEALTH RISK
I started this blog to share the interesting and useful information that I saw while doing my job as a Medfield select board member. I thought that my fellow Medfield residents would also find that information interesting and useful as well. This blog is my effort to assist in creating a system to push the information out from the Town House to residents. Let me know if you have any thoughts on how it can be done better.
For information on my other job as an attorney (personal injury, civil litigation, estate planning and administration, and real estate), please feel free to contact me at 617-969-1500 or Osler.Peterson@OslerPeterson.com.
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