Great News for Millville: $1 Million Grant Awarded to Fix School Water

Updated to correct dates (April 11, 2025): According to Selectman Jennifer Gill, the $1 million grant to address water quality issues at Millville Elementary School was officially approved on April 10, 2025. Prior to this date, as of April 8, the approval had not yet been received, though it was anticipated soon. This grant, aimed at mitigating contaminants such as PFAS and TOC, will fund the implementation of new filtration technologies to ensure safe drinking water for students and staff. The towns are collaborating with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to finalize the project plans, with work expected to commence in the near future.

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Millville is celebrating some much-needed good news—especially for families with kids at Millville Elementary School, which serves children from both Millville and Blackstone as part of the Blackstone-Millville Regional School District.

The town has been awarded a $1 million federal grant to help fix the school’s water system and remove PFAS—a group of man-made chemicals sometimes called “forever chemicals.” These chemicals have been found in the school’s water and, while they’re still being studied, they’ve raised concerns about long-term health effects.

A Problem Long on the Radar

Concerns about PFAS levels and other water quality issues at Millville Elementary have been ongoing. Bottled water has been provided to students and staff as a precaution, and discussions about longer-term solutions—including the potential for a new well—have been on the table.

According to the April 8 BMRSD School Committee meeting minutes, district officials are actively coordinating with environmental agencies and planning next steps to ensure clean water access. The newly awarded grant now provides the funding to turn those plans into action.

What Happens Now?

• Town and school officials will begin implementing the new treatment system with oversight from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.
• Bottled water will continue to be provided until the system is installed and tested.
• Regular updates will be shared as the project progresses.

This news was also shared at the April 8 Millville Board of Selectmen meeting, where town leaders expressed relief that the grant is anticipated soon. On April 10, Millville’s Selectman Jennifer Gill posted the update on Facebook, thanking everyone involved for helping secure the funding. It’s been a long process, but Millville is now in a much better position to tackle the issue head-on. The Town of Millville has taken full responsibility for addressing the water quality issues and has worked diligently in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP). MaryJude Pigsley, Regional Director of MassDEP, has been an invaluable resource throughout this process.

Why Was This Needed?

Testing had shown PFAS levels in the school’s water that were higher than what Massachusetts considers safe. Until the new system is in place and working, bottled water will still be provided to students and staff as a precaution.

A Win for Families in Both Towns

This is a big step toward making sure all students in the Blackstone-Millville Regional School District have access to clean, safe drinking water. It also shows how regional cooperation and advocacy can bring real results to our local communities.