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Westford Board of Health conditionally approves irrigation‑only well for Century Aggregates
Summary
The Westford Board of Health voted July 13 to approve an irrigation‑only well for Century Aggregates, conditioned on pre‑use testing showing perchlorate near the LSP recommendation, annual monitoring, an initial sump test, and a restriction limiting the water to on‑equipment dust suppression.
The Westford Board of Health voted July 13 to approve an irrigation‑only well for Century Aggregates at its quarry, subject to testing and use restrictions intended to limit potential perchlorate exposure.
Board member Joanne moved to approve the request with conditions including pre‑use testing showing perchlorate at or below the LSP recommendation, yearly testing with results sent to the health department, an initial test of the sump, and a requirement that the nonpotable irrigation water be used only for dust suppression on crushing equipment. The motion passed by voice vote with all members present voting aye.
Why it matters: the quarry sits in an area the town has identified as a drinking‑water area of special concern because of historic perchlorate detections. Board staff urged caution so the town does not extend existing contamination problems or increase cleanup costs for taxpayers.
Ray, a health department staff member, summarized the technical background and LSP recommendations and said the well closest to the proposed site has not shown perchlorate in tests going back more than 15 years. “I was concerned about dust control and spraying possible chlorate throughout the property,” Ray said, noting LSP recommendations and proposed testing requirements.
Century Aggregates representative Zachary Clemente described the intended use. “It’s non potable water… it’s very isolated to the crushing area and just small low gallon‑per‑minute sprayers that just keep dust… at a reasonable level,” he said, adding that the company would likely test a nearby existing well or sump before committing to drilling a new well.
Key conditions the board adopted include: - A pre‑use test of the irrigation well with a perchlorate threshold consistent with the LSP recommendation discussed at the meeting (the packet includes a 2.2 ppb value while discussion referenced a 2 ppb benchmark; the board set the approval conditionally on a test showing concentrations at or below the LSP recommendation). - Annual testing of the irrigation well with results submitted to the health department. - An initial test of the sump area so the town has a baseline. - A restriction that the irrigation well water be used only on crushing equipment for dust suppression; any different use would require returning to the board.
The board and company also discussed business risk: Zachary said an installed well that later proved unusable would represent a significant cost (he cited an approximate $20,000 installation expense) and suggested testing an existing on‑site well first.
Next steps: the approval is conditional on meeting the test results and complying with the LSP recommendations. If future testing finds perchlorate above the approved threshold, the board said the well would need to be treated or decommissioned and the company would have to return to the board.
Transcript provenance: discussion and motion introduced by Ray and Century Aggregates representative Zachary (topic introduced in meeting packet and discussed live).
