At the June 17 meeting of the Dudley Select Board State Rep. John Marsi (R-6th Worcester) brought congratulations from MassDEP and the federal Environmental Protection Agency to the Dudley Water Department for its outstanding work in PFAS remediation. 

PFAS are known as “forever chemicals” and are found in firefighting foam, non-stick cookware, fabrics and cleaning products among other places. They are called forever chemicals because they break down very slowly over time and can cause health problems in humans.

The Dudley Water Department has been working diligently on the problem of eradicating PFAS from the town water supply. The town held an Open House and ribbon cutting for the new water treatment plant on June 8. The event included included residents, town officials and representatives from consultant Tighe & Bond.

Dudley was ahead of the curve in implementing solutions to the growing problem of PFAS in public water supplies.

Reading from an email sent by the Central Regional Office of the MassDEP, Marsi said that agency extended recognition to the Dudley Water Department for being proactive on PFAS contamination since 2019.

 “The Water Department through the help of consultants and the support of the people of Dudley, MassDEP has been able to approve activation of Dudley’s new wells, blending of wells, rehabilitation of tanks, a new well field, pump station upgrades, newly installed mains, newly installed raw water transmission main and approval of a centralized transmission plant for PFAS” Marsi read.

The communication went on to say that Dudley Water and Sewer Superintendent George Patrinos should be commended for all his hard work getting the water department into a very, very competent place.”

Marsi presented a second citation that read in part, “The House of Representatives offers its sincere congratulations to the Dudley Water Department in recognition of your public water system award received by the U.S. EPA, MassDEP, andthe New England Waterworks Association.”

The new water treatment plant is processing 500,000 gallons of municipal water per day to reach a clean water “non-detect” level for PFAS. The system was built with a one million gallons per day capacity to support future growth.

The Select Board noted that Patrinos has been “way ahead of the curve for years” regarding PFAS  and offered him their congratulations.

Marsi also presented a citation to Administrative Secretary Michelle Jervis  “we owe you a debt of gratitude” for all the outreach she has one for the town for nearly 20 years, as did the Select Board.

Marsi also offered her an official tour of the State House.