Town of Mansfield Newsletter July 2026
DUSTIN PRESCOTT PFAS TREATMENT FACILITY BEGINS OPERATION
In April of 2023, water samples taken at the Dustin Prescott Water Treatment Plant indicated the presence of PFAS, albeit at levels lower than the MassDEP guideline of 20.0 ppt (parts per trillion). Due to this PFAS presence, and in anticipation of potential heightened regulations, The Town developed a plan to construct a PFAS Treatment Facility, including well and treatment system upgrades, presented it to voters, and ultimately received approval to borrow $9.1 million to put this plan into action. This funding was supplemented with a federal earmark secured by Congressman Jake Auchincloss totaling $2 million.
Now, three years later, the Mansfield Water Division has recommissioned to full capacity the operation of the Dustin Prescott PFAS Treatment Facility placing it back online Monday, June 8, 2026. This facility, located at 500B East Street, is the third PFAS treatment facility completed in the Town of Mansfield. Construction has now begun at the final PFAS treatment facility, located on West Street.
Using a granular activated carbon (GAC) adsorption system, this treatment facility can treat up to 2.9 million gallons of water per day. Before PFAS removal is complete, the water is first sent through the existing Dustin Prescott Water Treatment Plant per the normal treatment process. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known to the American Public as “PFAS”, are a family of chemicals used since the 1950’s to manufacture stain-resistant, water-resistant, and non-stick products. PFAS in drinking water is an important emerging issue nationwide. Because PFAS are water soluble, over time PFAS from some firefighting foam, manufacturing sites, landfills and other releases can seep into surface soils and groundwater.
“Federal funding cuts for clean water are making it more challenging, but I'm working for every dollar I can to help towns pay for this expensive – and essential – infrastructure,” Congressman Auchincloss said.
Town Manager Mallory Aronstein expressed thanks for the Congressman’s ability to provide this necessary funding. “Financially, the costs of these types of projects can make them unreachable or cause a tax burden for many years, which is not very popular with residents and works against our goals to maintain affordable living,” Aronstein said. “Partnering with the Congressman and seeing millions of dollars reinvested into Mansfield’s infrastructure is necessary for us to complete facility upgrades.”
More information on PFAS can be found on the Town’s website at https://www.mansfieldma.com/537/PFASInformation
Source: Town of Mansfield Newsletter