MES Water Update: DEP Approves Sleeve to Fix Well Contamination
Millville Elementary School Water Update: DEP Approves Well Sealing Plan
After months of testing, cleaning, and waiting for approval, there’s new progress to share in the Millville Elementary School water update.
At the November 3 Millville Board of Selectmen meeting, Town Administrator Peter Caruso announced that the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (Mass DEP) has officially approved a plan to sleeve and seal the school’s well—a major step forward toward resolving long-running water quality issues.
DEP Approves Well Sleeve to Block TOC Contamination
Caruso explained that the town’s water operators recently completed an acid wash on the well, during which they identified a seam at 24 feet deep supplying water with higher levels of total organic carbons (TOCs). TOCs are a recurring problem that lead to disinfection byproducts—the same compounds that have caused ongoing water quality concerns at the school.
The new sleeving system—essentially a seal that extends down about 100 feet—will block that TOC-rich layer from entering the well. DEP officially signed off on this plan on October 31, after several rounds of review and discussion.
“This is the cleanest the well’s ever been,” Caruso said during the meeting. “The tank’s clean, the piping’s clean, the pump’s refurbished and tested. Once the seal is in, the water going into the system should already be better, even before the new treatment technology starts running.”
What Happens Next for the MES Water System
Once the sleeve is installed, DEP will decide when the well can be reconnected and tested. The town may continue to use bulk water temporarily while DEP reviews the next steps, which include possible pilot testing of the new water treatment system.
Caruso noted that his recommendation is to operate the system normally for a short period to gather baseline data—that way, any future improvements from the new technology can be clearly measured.
The final timeline now depends on DEP’s direction, but this marks a turning point for Millville Elementary’s water project after years of inconsistent operation and repairs.
Background on the MES Water Project
The Millville Elementary School water issue has been a recurring topic for a while, when tests first revealed elevated levels of disinfection byproducts. The town has worked closely with Mass DEP ever since to design and install a new system to ensure the school’s drinking water meets state safety standards.
You can follow the full history of this issue and prior updates here:
- September 2025 Update – New System Installed, DEP Approval Next
- August 2025 Update – System Nears Completion
- Water Test Results and DEP Permits Released
- All MES Water Updates
Looking Ahead
With the DEP’s approval now in hand, Millville officials hope the well sealing will mark a major step toward delivering clean, reliable water for Millville Elementary School students and staff. Updates will continue as the well is sealed, the system reconnected, and DEP final testing begins.
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