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CDM Smith, Inc.

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Boston, MA 02109

Company Info

  • Est. 1947
  • Size 500+ Employees
  • Annual Vol Undisclosed

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Westfield PFOA and PFOS Treatment

Project Information

Project Location:
Westfield, MA
Status:
Completed
Structure Type:
Government

Scope Of Work

Westfield is a city located in the Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts. From its roots as an agricultural community in the 1600s, the area grew to an industrial hub in the 1800s, serving as the manufacturing center of the horse and buggy whip making industry. Today, Westfield is home to over 41,000 people, and is notable for a new reason: it is pioneering a proactive approach to protecting its residents from perfluorinated compounds in drinking water.

Perfluorinated compounds, including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), are industrial chemicals that were used for many years in materials like nonstick cookware and firefighting foam. While these compounds have not been manufactured for some time, they are so stable and durable that they remain in the environment, and are considered “emerging contaminants” in drinking water. In 2016, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued lifetime health advisories for perfluorinated compounds, because studies have shown that increased exposure to high concentrations can be harmful. 

Westfield ceased use of two of its wells where the city found PFOA and PFOS at concentrations exceeding the health advisory level of 70 parts per trillion. While perfluorinated compounds have not been formally regulated by federal or state authorities, Westfield decided the concern required a solution. Working with experts in environmental remediation and drinking water engineering from CDM Smith, which has worked with the city on several sewer and water projects over the past 15 years, Westfield will soon break ground on a new water treatment facility. The result will ensure safe and reliable water supplies from wells affected by PFOS and PFOA

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