Last week, Massachusetts announced the availability of $2 million in new grant funding to help its public water systems address elevated levels of PFAS in their drinking water. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is administering the new Interim PFAS6 Response Grant Program to provide funding to help offset the cost of initial responses implemented by water suppliers when PFAS6 (the sum of six PFAS) exceeds the state standard of 20 parts per trillion (ppt).
“Under our new state standards for PFAS, public water systems are testing for these contaminants, and when they are found, the Commonwealth is working closely with them to quickly assess the threat and address it,” says MassDEP Commissioner Martin Suuberg. “I urge our public water systems to apply for these funds, which can cover costs for critical short-term measures in the event of PFAS6 contamination, including bottled water, filtration systems, or alternative water-source connections.”
MassDEP anticipates offering three rounds of funding through the Interim PFAS6 Response Grant Program, with applications for the first round due July 8. Communities that have already expended funds to address elevated levels of PFAS are also eligible for costs that have already been expended.
Separately, Massachusetts has provided $28.4 million in additional funds for water infrastructure and PFAS testing, including a statewide sampling program for public water supplies and private wells and a grant program to support design of PFAS treatment. To support design of PFAS treatment, a first round of grants was announced in September 2020 of $1.9 million, and a second round of grants was announced in March 2021 for $3 million.
For additional information on the Massachusetts Interim PFAS6 Response Grant Program, see the full grant opportunity here.
