PFAS Information

PFAS6 are man-made chemicals that have been used in the manufacturing of a variety of items such as fire-fighting foam, moisture and stain resistant products, and other industrial processes.

MassDEP recently established a new drinking water regulation for PFAS6 with a Maximum Containment Level (MCL) of 20 parts per trillion (ppt). At this time, the U.S has no federally enforceable PFAS standards. To provide Americans, including the most sensitive populations with a margin of protection from a lifetime of exposure to PFAS from drinking water the EPA has established a non-enforceable health advisory level of 70 ppt.

These new regulations have impacted all of the surrounding Towns as well, as they have all had exceedances of the 20 ppt Standard. For Stoughton, it is helpful to keep in-mind that the water delivered from Muddy Pond is also blended with all of the other sources that are well below 20 ppt.

To address the minor exceedance at one of our eight (8) well locations, Muddy Pond with a average of 22 ppt for Quarter 3 of 2021, the Stoughton Water Department will offer residents self-serve water access at a designated location for PFAS compliant water to those in sensitive subgroups (pregnant or nursing women, infants and people diagnosed by their health care provider to have a compromised immune system) or other concerned residents. This option will be available until further confirmatory testing is done. Beginning January 31, 2022, this dedicated location will be at the Plain Street Water Treatment Plant located at 750 Plain St, weekdays from 7:30am to 3:00pm.

October 20, 2022

The latest results show that Muddy Pond is not in compliance for Quarter 3, with a average of 22.67 (<20.5ppt). We will continue to adjust the flows from the two water sources at Muddy Pond, in an effort to find the optimal blending of raw sources to reduce the PFAS6 levels reliably and consistently below the MCL. 

Please call the Stoughton Water Department with any questions regarding the water quality and availability at 781-344-2112.