Duxbury, Massachusetts Development News

Duxbury Grapples with PFOA Water Contamination Exceeding EPA Standards

The Duxbury Select Board discussed the PFOA/PFOS contamination in the town's water supply, specifically from the Lakeshore well. While the current state regulatory limit is 20 parts per trillion (ppt), the EPA's new standard is 4 ppt. The Lakeshore well averages 4.5 ppt, exceeding the EPA standard. Modeling indicates that in the summer, approximately 200 residences may be receiving water above 4 ppt. The board discussed short-term mitigation strategies like adjusting well operation to prioritize cleaner sources and potentially providing filtered water, as well as longer-term solutions like treatment plants, which are under design and expected by the EPA compliance date of April 2029. Water conservation measures and stricter enforcement of current watering bans were also emphasized as critical to reducing reliance on the Lakeshore well. The town plans to notify affected residents and will present a formal plan of action.