Site-specific treatment
System designs (AIX at Grove Pond and GAC at Spectacle Pond) were tailored to each source’s chemistry.
Pioneering dual-technology PFAS treatment
When PFAS contamination emerged in Ayer’s groundwater, the DPW took swift action. In partnership with CDM Smith, the town designed two treatment systems using granular activated carbon and anion exchange resin, enabling Ayer to meet evolving regulations and ensure reliable drinking water for its community.
Accelerated design and delivery
Full-scale design was completed in four months, moving quickly from study to construction while meeting state standards.
Testing and validating treatment technologies
Bench-scale testing at CDM Smith’s Bellevue lab determined optimal performance, ensuring long-term efficiency.
Collaboration for community safety
Ayer DPW, CDM Smith, and state and federal agencies worked together to share data shaping PFAS policy statewide.
Supported by $4.4 million in federal funding, Ayer’s two systems combine science, foresight and community commitment. “You really have to look at what the different options are with respect to your operations, your water quality, the expertise of your staff,” said Mark Wetzel, Ayer DPW superintendent. The project now serves as a model for small towns tackling PFAS nationwide.
AIX marks the spot
Learn more about how Ayer's Department of Public Works leveraged different technologies to remove PFAS from drinking water.
