The Chilmark School stopped using its drinking water this week while the school officials explore installing a filtration system to weed out PFAS contamination. 

The up-Island regional school committee voted Monday to allow Chilmark School principal Kate Squire to move to bottled water and Ms. Squire enacted the transition the following morning.

Tests on the school well from this year have found low levels of  per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, which are linked to negative health effects, including increased risk of certain cancers and fluctuations in liver enzyme levels. The “forever chemicals” can be found in waterproof clothing, firefighting foams and nonstick kitchenware.

The school committee decided to take precautionary action despite the levels not rising above the state level of concern.

“What we’ve noticed is that most tests conducted on that well since 2022 have had positive levels, all below the state part per trillion, but we are noticing a gradual increase,” said committee member Robert Lionette. “There was a consensus that we needed to act immediately.”

Ms. Squire informed parents of the decision in an email sent out Tuesday morning. 

“We will be on bottled water until the filtration system is fully installed,” she said in an interview. “All of our water fountains and our water bottle filters have been blocked so students can’t use them, and then all of our food is prepared at the West Tisbury School, so nothing involving student breakfast or lunches involve our water system.”

The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has conducted testing for several years across public water systems. Todd Everson, the water system operator at the Chilmark School, said the Chilmark School has undergone multiple tests throughout the years, with the most recent being in January 2025. Results have consistently tested below the standard amount for concern. 

The school can get its water treated, though it will have to obtain permits from the state. 

“Right now, the process for pursuing treatment for PFAS is generally granular activated carbon,” Mr. Everson said. “For permitting treatment systems [in public water systems], you need to go through what’s called a BRP 34 chemical addition retrofit. That’s a permit that is prepared and submitted by a professional engineer.” 

Mr. Everson said he has contacted someone to prepare an application and submit it to the state. He expected a filtration system would take several months to be permitted and installed.

“Worst case probably beginning of next school year,” he said. “That’s pretty worst case. February vacation would be pretty optimistic, in my opinion.”   

The presence and detection of PFAS has been on the rise on the Island in recent years, with traces being found in wells by the West Tisbury landfill and the airport.  

Up-Island school committee member Marsha Shufrin said that a filtration system as a long-term future plan is necessary. 

“My concern is for the children,” she said at the meeting. “We don’t know what the impact of these specific levels are on young bodies and young children. I think what we want to see is no PFAS in the water and if there is, I wouldn’t feel safe [for the school to] drink this water.” 

There are also concerns about the Chilmark Preschool, which shares the same well as the Chilmark School. While the new building is currently being constructed, preschool board of directors president Rebekah Thomson said the preschool will take the well system into strong consideration. 

“The preschool is working closely with the Chilmark School with our team and really following the guidance of Todd to design a system in the new building that will sufficiently address the PFAS contamination,” she said. 

Ms. Squire thanked the committee for their support and action. 

“Students and staff’s health and safety are our number one priority, so we really appreciate the school committee’s fast action on this and their support and guidance,” she said.

Mr. Lionette urged members to put PFAS at the forefront of future school protocols and considerations. 

“I would recommend that this committee, in budget discussions for next year, consider an engineering study for this building and this well,” he said. “We understand that PFAS is everywhere. We are fortunate in this building right now, and that could change.”