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PFAS and lead replacements discussed; testing complete, pilots underway, inventories due October 2024
Summary
Company witnesses and DPH staff confirmed statewide PFAS testing and lead-service-line inventory requirements, described pilots for treatment and leak detection, and agreed to late-file data on inventories, main replacement rates and treatment notifications.
The hearing included extended exchanges on water quality topics: PFAS testing and treatment, lead service-line inventories, public-notification compliance and treatment pilots.
Why it matters: PFAS and lead are regulated contaminants that directly implicate public health, treatment budgets and capital plans. Regulators sought documentary evidence and schedules for pilot projects and testing results.
Key points from testimony: - PFAS: Aquarion said it has tested all systems; an attachment listing systems requiring treatment was submitted (transcript references show 30 systems on a treatment list). RWA also confirmed testing and identified systems under PFAS treatment consideration. - Public notifications: Aquarion had two water-quality violations as of June 2025 and stated public notifications were completed or in process; PURA staff requested copies of completed public notifications as a late-file exhibit. - Lead service-line inventory (LSI): Both utilities confirmed they filed inventories in compliance with LCRI deadlines (10/16/2024); DPH asked for updated inventories broken down by material and for counts of galvanized replacement requirements (GRR). Parties agreed to late-file LSI details and the historic count of instances escalated to the OCA and Consumer Affairs Committee since 2010. - Treatment pilots and leak detection: Witnesses described a PFAS treatment pilot on a surface water reservoir and testing of acoustic leak detection sensors (movable devices). RWA and Aquarion discussed work on predictive models and AI tools to help prioritize main and service-line replacements.
Documents requested: late-file exhibits for completed public-notification copies, the detailed lead-service-line inventory (by material, year installed), nonrevenue-water percentages 2019—2024, and annual feet of mains replaced and capital expenditure forecasts for 2025—2030 for both utilities.
Ending: The panel required the requested technical attachments and inventories to be filed under late exhibits and flagged some materials as potentially subject to protective order for security-sensitive infrastructure information.
