The only Woodstock town well containing PFOS is the newest one, according to the latest test results.
The new well has a reading of 2.21 parts per trillion, down from 3.16 ppt in a previous test. The other well in the same field, which had a previous reading of 1.41 ppt, is now at a non-detectable level.
The five wells in the other field are all non-detects.
Supervisor Bill McKenna said he has forwarded the results to the county and state health departments and will discuss with them how to proceed.
Concerned citizens raised alarm bells last year in response to the annual water department annual report for 2023 that showed a PFAS level of 3.48. The previous year, it was 0.86. The state and federal level before required action is ten ppt. The EPA reduction of that level to four ppt is not yet in effect.
The so-called forever chemical compounds are prevalent in many household items, including non-stick cookware.
Last summer, the town moved to quarterly testing and in an effort to isolate the source recently took samples from each well instead of the central pump houses. McKenna said it was possible the higher PFAS level came from something used to clean or lubricate the pump in the new well. Members of Woodstockers United for Change, who raised the initial concerns, remain skeptical of that explanation.
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