News

Safe drinking water is essential to every community, yet utilities across Massachusetts have spent the past several years responding to one of the most significant water quality challenges in decades: per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals.” As one of the first states to establish PFAS drinking water standards, Massachusetts has become a national leader in implementing advanced treatment technologies. Tighe & Bond has helped communities meet that challenge, serving as designer or Owner’s Project Manager on several of the Commonwealth’s new PFAS treatment facilities.

Understanding the PFAS Challenge

PFAS are a large family of synthetic chemicals that have been used in industrial processes and consumer products for decades because of their resistance to heat, water, and oil. These chemicals can persist in the environment for extended periods and may accumulate in groundwater and drinking water sources. Growing research has linked exposure to certain PFAS compounds with potential health concerns, prompting federal and state agencies to establish drinking water standards. As a result, water suppliers throughout Massachusetts and the broader Northeast have been required to evaluate their sources and implement treatment solutions where necessary.

Across Massachusetts, many communities initially responded to PFAS detections by taking wells offline, blending water sources, or implementing temporary treatment systems while evaluating permanent solutions. Today, utilities are increasingly moving toward dedicated treatment facilities designed specifically to address PFAS while preserving critical groundwater supplies.

Communities are addressing these challenges in different ways depending on their water systems. Several of Tighe & Bond’s current projects illustrate how advanced treatment is being tailored to local needs.

Exterior of the completed Harbor Trace Water Treatment Plant.

Townsend

This new facility treats up to 2.45 million gallons per day (MGD) of water from the Harbor Trace Well and Witch’s Brook Wells. The plant utilizes granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration technology, one of the most widely accepted and effective treatment methods for removing PFAS compounds from drinking water. The project also includes new systems for disinfection and corrosion control, as well as critical distribution system improvements that enhance reliability and operational resilience.

Project partners at the groundbreaking for Grafton’s Worcester Street WTP.

Grafton

We are assisting the Grafton Water District with the design and construction of two treatment facilities to address PFAS contamination in separate portions of the water system. One facility is designed specifically for PFAS removal to augment an existing iron and manganese filter system, while the second will address PFAS in conjunction with naturally occurring iron and manganese, highlighting a growing trend toward integrated treatment solutions that address multiple water quality objectives within a single new or existing expanded facility.

Breaking ground on DWSD’s new PFAS treatment facility.

Dracut Water Supply District

At DWSD’s water treatment facility in Tyngsborough, planning for PFAS treatment has been incorporated into broader water quality improvements. Earlier infrastructure investments addressed iron and manganese removal through biological pressure filtration, while preserving the ability to expand treatment in the future with minimal disturbance to ongoing operations. The current PFAS treatment expansion demonstrates how utilities are increasingly designing facilities with flexibility to accommodate evolving regulations and emerging contaminants.
As regulatory standards and scientific understanding of PFAS continue to evolve, municipalities are investing in advanced treatment systems of their water supplies. Our team supports the development of new PFAS treatment facilities, helping to deliver new investments in community health, environmental stewardship, and public confidence.