In recognition of ongoing presence of Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in certain sources of water utilized by the Acton Water District (AWD), the Board of Water Commissioners (Commissioners) voted to offer rebates to residential water customers in the sensitive subgroup (Sensitive Subgroup), as defined by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), to assist with the purchase of bottled water. A credit will be applied to your quarterly water bill for qualifying customers receiving a direct water bill. Qualifying customers who do not receive their own water bill must provide proof of residency in a property served by AWD as part of their application (attached) and a check will be mailed.
Efforts to limit the concentration of the six PFAS (PFAS6) compounds regulated by (MassDEP) have been ongoing since the spring of 2020. Updated information about PFAS6 levels in Acton are available at www.actonwater.com/pfas.
PFAS are widely used in common consumer products as coatings, on food packaging, outdoor clothing, carpets, leather goods, ski and snowboard waxes, and more. Certain types of firefighting foam—historically used by the U.S. military, local fire departments, and airports to fight oil and gasoline fires—may contain PFAS.
PFAS in drinking water is an important emerging issue nationwide and implementing permanent solutions will require additional time and planning. Therefore, the Commissioners voted that a credit or rebate will be available to residential customers in the Sensitive Subgroup as follows:
This rebate program is valid until the Commissioners determine that the program is no longer applicable or funding is exhausted. This rebate program is not intended to operate as a guarantee regarding any exposure to PFAS and does not purport to limit exposure to PFAS from any source. The District strongly recommends that the Sensitive Subgroup confirm that the bottled water they purchase has been tested for PFAS and complies with the MassDEP maximum contaminant level for PFAS6.
*Infant is defined by the American Medical Association and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as being under the age of 1 year old.
Click here for the Sensitive Subgroup Bottled Water Rebate Form. This form must be filled out entirely and mailed or hand-delivered to our office. If you have any questions or require clarification, please call our office at 978-263-9107 between the hours of 7:30 am and 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday.