BCAT News

A change in federal regulations around toxic PFAS chemicals will likely increase the cost of maintaining Burlington’s newly installed filtration system, according to Department of Public Works Director Brian White. 

That makes Burlington one of about 181 water systems impacted by the new EPA rules, which reduce the allowable level of two common PFAS chemicals, PFOA and PFOS, to four parts per trillion, which is almost so low as to be undetectable. 

Massachusetts was among the first states to pass its own limits on PFAS chemicals, placing a limit at 20 parts per trillion in 2020. The change in state rules meant Burlington was no longer compliant, setting off the ambitious and rapid project of installing a new filtration system at its MIll Pond Reservoir. That system went online in September, 2023. 

In Burlington, the changes mean the DPW may have to replace the resin inside its PFAS filters more often: maybe once a year, instead of once every 18 months. White is requesting $1.2 million from Town Meeting for this round. 

That money million would include the cost of disposing of the resin, which is a real conundrum facing the DPW. According to White, many landfills refuse to take the resin, which can leak PFAS chemicals into the soil. “There’s currently two places available to incinerate it. One place is in New England, and if that place doesn’t take it, it has to be railed down to Alabama. If we can find landfills to take it, that will cut down the cost.”

White says the DPW is exploring cheaper alternatives to resin-based filters, including Granulated Activated Carbon (GAC) systems. 

Still, White says that despite the potential higher price tag than was originally anticipated, the filtration system is working well.  “Our water is coming out cleaner than MWRA water,” he said.