By Theresa Knapp 

The PFAS water treatment plant is up and running and working effectively, according to town officials. 

In October 2020, Millis municipal wells 1 and 2 (of 6 total) were taken offline because, when blended together to deliver water to residents, they exceeded the state’s new minimum standard of 20 parts per trillion of per- and polyfluorinated substances (“PFAS”).

In June, Millis Department of Public Works Director Jim McKay said the treatment plant approved by Town Meeting in 2021, and finished earlier this year (and on budget), is doing its job. PFAS are being filtered out by large filter vessels at the new facility. 

“We’ve done preliminary tests and every one of them came back non-detected; treatment works,” he said, predicting the wells would be back online and delivering water to residents in July. 

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held later this summer to celebrate. 

“But we’re not going to stop there,” said McKay, noting voters have already approved design work for a plant to treat Well 3. Voters will be asked at this year’s November Town Meeting to secure funding to build a new water treatment building off Birch Street. If approved, construction is expected to take place between Feb. 2024 and Spring 2025. 

McKay said, “If we have wells 1, 2, and 3 PFAS-free, Millis could live off them,” while voters decide what to do with remaining wells 4 (off South End Pond), and 5 and 6 (off Norfolk Road) which have varying levels of PFAS.

For more information related to PFAS, including all testing data, visit www.millisma.gov/public-works-highway-department