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Mount Airy moves forward on PFAS remediation under $4.2M DWSRF grant; testing protocol and lead checks adjusted
Summary
Town staff told the April 20 budget workshop they have a $4.2 million DWSRF grant to cover PFAS remediation across multiple water stations, with stations 1 and 5 prioritized; designs are submitted for permitting, staff expect to bid the first phase within months, and council added $5,000 to cover new lead‑testing requirements for childcare and schools.
Mount Airy staff updated the council on water and sewer capital priorities at the April 20 budget workshop, describing a sizable DWSRF grant and a near‑term remediation program to address emerging contaminants and system upgrades.
Brian and other water‑system staff told the council the town has a $4.2 million Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) award to fund PFAS remediation for multiple treatment/pumping stations. "Yes," staff said when asked whether the grant figure covers the scope; staff explained they broke the project into phases and are prioritizing stations one and five first because the designs for those two are complete and permitting submittals are under review.
Why it matters: PFAS remediation and upgrades to pumping/treatment stations are capital‑intensive and directly connected to drinking‑water safety and regulatory compliance. Staff said the designs for the first stations are complete, county and state permitting steps are underway, and they expect to put the first phase out to bid and complete stations one and five within roughly a year of contracting.
Testing and lead sampling
Staff also described changes to routine sampling: the town will continue robust point‑of‑entry monitoring (five point‑of‑entry sampling sites) rather than testing every well individually; staff said that approach captures what enters the distribution system and remains more protective than minimal MDE requirements in place this year. Council and staff agreed to add $5,000 to the water testing budget to cover a new requirement for lead testing tied to childcare facilities and schools.
Timeline and next steps
Staff reported design submissions are in to permitting agencies and that county permits and bond counsel steps are next. Once permitting and bonding are in place, staff expect to advertise and award construction for the first two stations; the town will report schedule updates to the council as permitting and bids progress.
What council asked for
Council members asked for confirmation on whether sampling frequency and sample locations represented a change from prior practice; staff said the town had voluntarily sampled at more points previously to track well performance but is now focusing on point‑of‑entry sampling while retaining an above‑minimum testing protocol.
