Acton water officials set tentative PFAS treatment dates, warn of possible discoloration and water-use restrictions

Acton Water District leaders told the Acton Select Board on Oct. 6 that two large PFAS treatment systems are entering the final commissioning phase and that the town should expect short-term impacts to water quality and supply while the systems are tested and conditioned.

"The PFAS levels in our water supply have not exceeded the Massachusetts drinking water standard since the 2023," Acton Water Commissioner Erica Lynn said at the meeting, adding that the district has taken steps since discovery to reduce exposure.

District Manager Matthew Mostoller said the South Acton plant — which typically supplies about 60 to 80% of the community’s water demand — and the Centre Acton plant will enter the final media-conditioning phase within weeks of each other. "As of this afternoon ... we're anticipating our Centre Acton plant receiving media starting on October 27 and we anticipate receiving media at our South Acton plant beginning on November 5," Mostoller said.

Why it matters: the South Acton plant supplies a majority of Acton’s water, and both new systems must be taken offline for conditioning and proof testing before…