MWRA & PFAS Projects

MWRA Project

MWRA Capacity Evaluation of Phases 1 & 2A - TBC by December 2023

  • Connection Capacity to be evaluated to verify that we can safely abandon the Vine Brook Treatment Plant

Phase 2 B - TBC 2025

  • A pipe connection will be extended down Middlesex Turnpike in Burlington from Adams St to Mall Rd
  • MWRA will be establishing other pipe connections throughout the Town of Lexington to our new pipe on Lowell St.
  • Total MGD with entire project completed will be 6.5 MGD

Phase 1:

The project to connect Burlington's water supply to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) has been completed. Phase 1 is designed to supply one million gallons (MGD) of water per day to the Town of Burlington via the Town of Lexington. 

Phase 2a:

The MWRA Phase 2 project, which will extend from Burlington to Arlington, began in April of 2022. As of July 2023, this phase is substantially complete and flow has been increased to 2.5 MGD.

Completed Projects

MWRA Connection Phase 1 - Completed December 2020

  • Established a pipe connection on Adams St through Lexington that can take up to 1 million gallons per day (MGD). The Town's current daily demand is 3 MGD. 
  • This connection has been running continuously since May 19, 2021, as required by DEP due to PFAS levels
  • On October 4th, 2021, Mike Kennealy, Secretary of Housing and Community Development, sent Burlington a letter announcing the award of a $1 Million grant for Phase 2A of the MWRA Project

MWRA Connection Phase 2 A - Completed July 2023

  • MWRA  completed the remaining extension from the Town of Lexington to the Town of Arlington
  • The connection in Burlington was substantially completed in July 2023 and flow was increased to 2.5 MGD.

Filter Facility at Mill Pond - Completed July 2023 

  • Constructed a new facility with a filtration system designed to bring Burlington's drinking water into State compliance and possible future federal compliance
  • The facility was completed and water samples were sent for testing
  • Initial samples came back on July 21, 2023, showing PFAS levels at 0 (zero) ppt