WESTON — Weston is shutting down drinking water in schools and town-owned buildings after “permanent chemicals” were recently found in water test samples.
First Selectwoman Samantha Nestor said despite the precautionary measures the water quality still met government standards.
“Recent and extensive water testing has shown that potable water provided to the Weston Public School Building and Weston Township Office Building meets current federal and current state standards,” Nestor said. “Water testing also revealed the presence of low levels of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl species.”
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that have been manufactured and used since the 1940s. They are found in products such as nonstick cookware, food packaging, upholstered furniture, clothing and firefighting foam, according to Weston officials.
Nestor said the town and school have taken some steps out of a “very cautious” consideration. This includes supplying schools and town buildings with bottled water for drinking and cooking, designing filtration systems to remediate chemicals, and holding a public information session to communicate with residents at 7pm on March 28.
“Out of an abundance of caution, the town and Weston Public Schools are taking precautions against PFAS,” she added.
Nestor said the town is already considering improving the infrastructure of the water system. This includes applying for the state’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund program, which funds priority projects focused on ensuring compliance with federal and state water quality requirements.
The first step in the process was to test the town’s water, which is how PFAS were discovered. All of the test samples were below the government’s required 70 parts per trillion, she said.
Town and school officials do not know the source of the chemical at this time, Nestor said, but they are working to resolve the issue.
Weston’s schools and town buildings are served by a two-well water supply system.
The system provides services to Weston High School, Weston Middle School, Weston Middle School, Herbart Elementary School, Weston Senior Center, Portable Office Building on School Road, Board of Education Administrative Office Building, City Hall, Library, Police Department , Fire Station Water Station, Department of Public Works and Jarvis Building.
Nestor said that as of March 17, all water fountains in the school, including water bottle gas stations, were closed, all school district cafeterias were using bottled water for cooking, and students and staff were receiving bottled water for drinking, and that the water was being served throughout the school. Signage has been posted in the building, reinforcing the new procedures.
The health effects of PFAS can weaken the immune system and reduce response to vaccines. High levels of exposure can increase cholesterol levels, liver and thyroid problems, and increase the risk of testicular and kidney cancer, according to the town.
“The health and safety of our town is paramount,” Nestor said. “We will continue to work with School Superintendent Lisa Wolak, Weston Public Schools, the Connecticut Department of Public Health and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and the Aspetuck Health District on this issue and will update you as more information becomes available. .”
