February 2026 Update

The Commission shared information at recent board meetings regarding the identification of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) found during the demolition of the existing West Parish Filters Water Treatment Plant.  See below for answers to some frequently asked questions.

What Happened?

Contractors working on demolition of the existing West Parish Filters Water Treatment Plant identified PCBs in an older (1966) section of the facility. PCBs are common in construction materials dating from this era.

What are PCBs?

Polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, are a group of man-made chemicals that were widely used in building materials and electrical equipment prior to being banned in 1979. They were commonly found in items such as caulk, sealants, paints, and certain industrial products because of their durability and heat resistance.

What impact does this have on our drinking water?

The safety of the public drinking water supply continues to be our highest priority. There is no current risk of exposure to the public or employees. The affected section of the plant has been offline since construction began in March 2025. 

The Springfield Water & Sewer Commission (Commission) routinely tests for PCBs as required by Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) regulations. Moreover, while in operation the affected section represented a small portion of overall water production and additional analyses show that the water treated met state and federal drinking water quality standards for PCBs. 

Who is overseeing this process?

The Commission notified both MassDEP and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and is working collaboratively with these agencies and outside experts to develop appropriate disposal plans. MassDEP and EPA will review and approve our disposal plans in compliance with state and federal regulations.

What will be done to safely dispose of the PCBs?

The implementation of the disposal plan will be carried out by qualified contractors, engineers, and scientists with expertise in PCB management.

What is the status of current construction of the new West Parish Water Treatment Plant?

Demolition and construction on any aspect of this section of the plant is on pause until the PCB material is safely disposed. A finalized and approved disposal plan is expected within the next several months.

We understand the urgency to build the new West Parish Water Treatment Plant and are taking all appropriate steps to do so in the safest, most efficient manner possible.  Once the disposal plan is finalized, we will be able to share accurate information on timing and costs.