Woodstock town supervisor Bill McKenna suspects something used as a solvent in the manufacture of a new pump may be the cause of a new quarterly test which showed high PFOS levels in the newest municipal well.
A sample taken from Well #1 on July 24 showed 1.41 parts per trillion of the so-called forever chemicals. A sample taken the same day from Well # 2, the newer well, had 3.16 parts per trillion.
The previous sampling in May showing 2.39 parts per trillion was taken at the pump house, not at individual wells. The average of the two samples was 2.99.
Taking the July samples from the individual wells was one step in an attempt to isolate the problem. The levels are below the state actionable limit of ten parts per trillion. A new federal EPA limit of four parts per trillion is not yet in effect.
PFOS are present in everything from degreasing agents to household chemicals. The testing was conducted by Environmental Labworks Inc of Marlboro. Previously JH Consulting had handled the testing, but a test in May erroneously showed a non-detect due to an error in transcription from an outside lab.
The town has committed to quarterly testing instead of the previous yearly regimen in response to concerns about the elevated levels. The town’s 2023 water quality report showed 3.48 ppt in one of the town’s wellfields, where previously it had been 0.86.
McKenna said he was in contact with the county health department and town engineer Dennis Larios.
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