DEP-led PFAS testing, new water main and contamination coordinator are priorities for Nantucket

Nantucket — At the July 12 Advisory Committee of Nonvoting Taxpayers meeting, town staff described active work on PFAS testing, staffing and water-main projects after state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) sampling found per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in some island wells. Libby Gibson told the committee the town has hired an environmental contamination coordinator in the health department who is “very focused on PFAS.” Gibson said the DEP has selected Nantucket as one of the first communities in the state for well testing, and that some wells have tested positive: “Surprise, some of them have PFAS in them,” she said, adding that PFAS are “the forever chemical.” Gibson also reported completion of a water-main extension west of the airport to accommodate PFAS response work and said the town is addressing related design and permitting needs for other water-main projects. She described logistical challenges moving sampling equipment and supplies to the island and coordinating with DEP staff for testing. Why it matters: PFAS detections can affect private well users, public infrastructure decisions and long-term treatment needs. Hiring a dedicated contamination coordinator centralizes the town’s response and communication with state regulators. Supporting details: Gibson said DEP is testing wells and that the town has connected some properties via water-main extensions to mitigate PFAS-impacted wells. She emphasized that testing and remediation require coordination with state regulators and specialized equipment. Quotes from the meeting: “DEP has selected Nantucket… they’re going around and testing wells. And surprise, some of them have PFAS in them,” Gibson said. “We hired an environmental contamination coordinator in the health department. He is very focused on PFAS.” Ending: Town staff said testing and response work would continue as DEP and local officials complete sampling, evaluate results and pursue mitigation steps where necessary.