Groveland is investigating what it will take to bring drinking water from Haverhill to the town should it decide such a purchase is the best option to comply with new federal drinking water standards.
The Groveland Water and Sewer Commission said it and the City of Haverhill would first have to approve any purchase, but notes Groveland purchased water from its neighbor before drilling wells and building water towers in the 1960s. The town is reviewing required engineering and equipment needed, according to Superintendent Colin Stokes, Groveland Water and Sewer Department and the Board of Water Commissioners.
As WHAV previously reported, Groveland Water and Sewer is researching options to ensure the town meets a new water quality standard set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency which tightens restrictions on “forever chemicals” known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl—or PFAS—chemicals. Once the new regulations are accepted by the State, Groveland will be expected to take immediate action.
Groveland currently complies with six PFAS contaminant regulations with levels of 4.1075 parts per trillion at Well 1 and 4.392 parts per trillion at Well 3. However, proposed standards would add four additional PFAS compounds and drop the allowed maximum level to 4 parts per trillion.
Groveland Water and Sewer notes Haverhill water tests below the pending 4 parts per trillion action level. The city recently upgraded its water filtration plant.
Other options include finding sufficient new water well sources in town or building a new water treatment facility paid by water and sewer bills.