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UMass technical-assistance team to support MassDEP ECSDC grantees with testing and project planning
Summary
UMass representatives outlined technical and administrative assistance available to ECSDC grantees, including laboratory testing, pilot equipment and help with permitting and scope decisions.
Eric Lee of the University of Massachusetts, the webinar’s contracted technical-assistance provider, described services available to ECSDC grantees and encouraged small water systems to use the support.
"We are, contracted to provide a technical assistance for, this program," Lee said. He said the UMass team can perform administrative and technical tasks that small systems may lack time or staff to complete, help design pilot studies, and, when needed, bring laboratory and pilot equipment to evaluate treatment options such as ion exchange or granular activated carbon.
Lee noted the UMass laboratory can measure PFAS at low concentrations for research purposes but said those results do not count as regulatory sampling. He described typical engagement paths: some systems need a needs-assessment study to decide whether to treat in place or explore interconnection with a neighboring system; others are ready to move into design and permitting. He said UMass will "keep things simple" where possible and can step back once a consulting engineer leads project execution.
Christina McInally, MassDEP Northeast region staff, introduced herself as a regional contact and confirmed she has worked on needs assessments and scopes of work for grantees in multiple MassDEP regions.
Why this matters: small water systems often lack dedicated staff for grant administration and technical design; UMass assistance can accelerate decision-making on treatment approach, pilot testing and permitting.
How to get help: Lee said grantees can contact the MassDEP program director email or drinkingwater@umass.edu and that UMass technical-service providers will coordinate with MassDEP and, if needed, EPA for questions beyond their scope.
