Amherst Water Testing Finds No “Forever Chemicals”

Source:  amherstma.gov

The Town of Amherst Water Department has completed its second quarterly sampling of the Town’s public drinking water sources for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). No PFAS compounds were detected above laboratory reporting limits in Amherst’s drinking water during both the April and July 2021 sampling events.

What Are PFAS?
PFAS compounds are a group of human-made chemicals that have been widely used since the 1950s in such products as water-resistant clothing, stain-resistant furniture and carpets, adhesives, non-stick cookware, paints and varnishes, and firefighting foam. PFAS are nicknamed “forever chemicals” because many of them resist breaking down in the environment, and, therefore, accumulate in organisms, including humans. Exposure to PFAS compounds has been linked to a number of health issues including specific types of cancer. Additional information on PFAS health risks, and the work being done in Massachusetts to identify PFAS contamination is available at the MADEP PFAS website.

Private Well Owners
Private well owners in Amherst are advised to read through the information on MADEP’s PFAS and private wells FAQ website.

Public Notification
If PFAS is detected in Amherst’s drinking water above the state’s maximum contaminant level, the public will be notified within 30 days. All PFAS sampling results, whether above or below the maximum contaminant level, will be reported to Amherst residents in the Town’s Annual Water Quality Report.

Residents with questions regarding PFAS and Amherst’s drinking water should contact the Amherst Department of Public Works at 413-259-3050 or publicworks@amherstma.gov