Duxbury Selectboard Grapples with PFAS Treatment Priorities, Budget Concerns
Officials Debate Urgency of Addressing Contaminated Wells Amid Potential Changes in Water Consumption
DUXBURY - January 6 - The Duxbury Selectboard faced tough decisions Monday night as they debated how to prioritize perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) water treatment projects while balancing financial constraints and upcoming budget discussions.
In a marathon meeting, board members and town officials wrestled with conflicting views on how to proceed with PFAS remediation in the town's water supply.
The discussion centered around a prioritization plan presented by consulting firm Apex Companies, which ranked the town's wells based on PFAS contamination levels and other factors. The plan recommended treating the Depot Street and Tremont wells as the top priority, at an estimated cost of $40 million.
However, some board members questioned whether this was the best use of limited resources, given that these wells are currently offline and have lower production capacity than others.
"I'm trying to understand how we're prioritizing those first, being the dirtiest and lowest yielding, as opposed to ... the lower-hanging fruit, the water that's not as dirty," said member Brian Glennon.
Water Superintendent Mark Cloud suggested that changing water consumption patterns could alter the need for certain wells. "Once people start realizing how much you have to pay for water, behaviors can change dramatically," he said.
The board also grappled with how to fund the necessary treatments. Finance Director Mary MacKinnon explained that water rates would likely need to increase significantly to cover both existing infrastructure needs and potential PFAS treatments.
"Just the existing day-to-day operations and the existing infrastructure improvements that are needed, we are going to see water rate increases in the vicinity of 50% to 60%, potentially," MacKinnon said.
The Environmental Protection Agency's new PFAS regulations, which take effect in April 2029, added urgency to the discussion. While some wells are currently compliant based on average readings, board members expressed concern about relying on occasional low readings to determine safety.
"I feel pretty confident that the residents of the town of Duxbury do not want to rely on one abnormal reading to decide whether the drinking water is good for their kids or not," member Amy MacNab said.
Jim Begley, on the Water Advisory Board for PFAS, urged the board to move forward with a full project at the upcoming town meeting. "The only way you can move forward and not kick it down the road is to support the town meeting vote for a full project, not just a little bit more design or a little bit more piloting this March," he said.
The board ultimately decided to revisit the prioritization plan, considering potential changes in water consumption and the need for treatment at wells that are closer to exceeding PFAS limits.
They also agreed to proceed with pilot studies for multiple wells to gather more data and keep options open. The estimated cost for piloting three wells is between $600,000 and $750,000.
The discussion highlighted the complex challenges facing the town as it seeks to ensure safe drinking water while managing costs. Board members emphasized the need for public engagement and education on the issue.
"People have to look at their budget and prioritize. Personally, I think that safe drinking water is going to be pretty high up on the list," MacNab said, referring to competing priorities.
In other business, the board:
Began planning joint meetings with the Finance Committee on Thursday evenings to go through the town’s budget line by line
Declared several DPW items as surplus, including vehicles and equipment, to be sold or auctioned off
Approved two one-day liquor licenses for art receptions at the Helen Bumpus Gallery
Announced Powder Point Bridge will be closed from January 20 to March 31 for repairs
Reminded residents to renew dog licenses and get dog walking permits for town lands and beaches
Noted nomination papers for the March 8 town election are due January 31
The board will continue budget discussions with the Finance Committee in a series of Thursday night meetings, starting Jan. 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the Ellison Room of the Senior Center.