Improving Water Quality & System Reliability
When PFAS levels at the Town of Townsend’s Harbor Trace Pump Station rose above state and federal limits, the Town faced an immediate challenge to protect its drinking water supply. As the community’s largest water source, the station was taken offline, which also caused PFAS concentrations to rise at the nearby Witch’s Brook Well. To restore capacity and meet both Massachusetts and EPA regulations, the Townsend Water Department moved forward with plans to construct a new 10,000 SF PFAS water treatment plant at the Harbor Trace site.
The new facility treats up to 2.45 million gallons per day (MGD) of water from both Harbor Trace and Witch’s Brook, using GAC filtration for PFAS removal with additional systems for disinfection and corrosion control. A new raw water main connects the two wells to the treatment plant, while new distribution mains along South Row and Emery Roads create a system loop to improve water quality, reduce stagnation, and strengthen resiliency.
Beyond treatment, the new facility includes office space, vehicle storage, and a large meeting room to support Water Department operations and community use, providing lasting value and operational flexibility for the Town.
