Bloomville reports negative PFAS tests and advances new water tower plans

The Bloomville Board of Public Affairs reported that EPA-required tests for PFAS — per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances sometimes called “forever chemicals” — came back negative, the board said at its Feb. 17 meeting. The board noted a second sample is required in six to seven months; two consecutive negative tests would likely exempt the village from further routine sampling for a period.

Village engineer Dylan Wyatt has completed construction plans for a proposed new water tower, and Water/Sewer Operator Levi Webster is scheduled to meet with Wyatt and the Bloomville fire department at the end of the month to review the designs and ensure they meet fire-department requirements. After consulting with the village engineer, the board said it will nominate the water tower project in March to pursue grant funding and low- or no-interest loans to help offset construction costs.

Board members also discussed an ongoing Environmental Protection Agency review of the water tower's regulatory status. The board noted that, depending on how the review is classified, a more severe finding could make the project eligible for additional funding programs — a possibility the board recognized as they weighed funding strategies.

The items were discussed as part of routine infrastructure planning; the board did not adopt a construction contract or finalize financing at the meeting. The village received a budget request form from State Representative Gary Click’s office; following consideration with the engineer, the water tower was identified as the top priority for potential funding. The board scheduled a further review of plans and funding steps in coming weeks.