The Town of Hamilton is proud to announce its inclusion in a $950,000 grant package awarded by the Healey-Driscoll Administration to support five communities within the Ipswich River Basin in enhancing public water systems and addressing the presence of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), commonly known as “forever chemicals.” The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is administering the grants, which were announced on April 28, 2025 at Mass.gov.
Hamilton, in partnership with the Town of Wenham, will receive $279,775 for a project that includes computer modeling, water infrastructure planning, and treatment pilot studies aimed at improving water quality and supply resiliency. This work supports long-term solutions for water sourcing from the Salem Beverly Water Supply Board (SBWSB) and targets PFAS contamination in local groundwater wells.
“This funding will allow us to take a critical step forward in ensuring access to clean and safe drinking water for Hamilton residents,” said Tim Olson, DPW Director for Hamilton. “With increasing demand and environmental challenges, we are grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and MassDEP for their investment in our water infrastructure and public health.”
The awarded project involves:
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Simulating potential limitations of wheeling SBWSB water through Wenham to Hamilton.
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Initiating the bid process for an interim interconnection between the towns.
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Conducting a pilot study on PFAS removal strategies for Wenham’s groundwater sources.
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Recommending the most effective PFAS treatment method for Hamilton’s School Street well.
PFAS are synthetic chemicals that persist in the environment and have been linked to harmful health effects. Addressing PFAS contamination is a statewide priority, and these grants support both immediate action and long-term planning.
According to the Ipswich Targeted Watershed Project website, The Ipswich River winds 45 miles from Burlington, Massachusetts, to Plum Island Sound in the town of Ipswich. The Ipswich River watershed—comprising 155 square miles of land, streams, ponds, and wetlands—spans all or part of 21 communities. It has long been an ecological and economic asset to northeastern Massachusetts, supporting productive fisheries and shellfish beds and once powering industries such as shipbuilding, tanning, and textile milling. Its streams and aquifers continue to provide drinking water to hundreds of thousands of people, both inside and outside of the watershed.
American Rivers, a national rivers protection organization, recently named the Ipswich River one of the most endangered rivers in the country.
“The Ipswich River Watershed serves as the drinking water source to more than 350,000 people in nearby communities,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “The Healey-Driscoll Administration is committed to supporting our public water suppliers and protecting this resource.”
“This funding will provide communities with the tools they need to preserve water supplies and address PFAS contamination,” added MassDEP Commissioner Bonnie Heiple. “The Ipswich River Basin has unique drinking water challenges and we are committed to helping municipalities meet them.”
State Representative Kristin E. Kassner (D-Hamilton) praised the initiative, stating:
“The Ipswich River is one of the most threatened in the country. The Northshore Water Resiliency Task Force has been hard at work to balance water needs and the health of the river ecosystem. These grants will be transformative toward regional water resiliency, water quality, and treatment within the Ipswich River basin. I’m grateful to MassDEP for their commitment to addressing the water quality challenges faced by the residents of our region.”
This is the second year of the Ipswich River Basin water grant program, which aligns with MassDEP’s mission to protect the Commonwealth’s natural resources and ensure environmental justice and equity for all residents.
Though Hamilton is part of the Ipswich River Watershed, the Patton Homestead, 650 Asbury Street, is the only place in Hamilton with direct public access to the Ipswich River, and is part of the Essex County Greenbelt.
For more information of Hamilton’s participation, contact the Town of Hamilton Department of Public Works Water Department. For information on the $950,000 Ipswich River Basin grant package by the state, contact Fabienne Alexis, Public Affairs Assistant Director / MassDEP at [email protected].
