MIDDLEBORO — Town officials broke ground on the $33 million reconstruction of the East Grove Water Treatment Plant in a ceremony at the project site on Thursday, Aug. 21. 

Select Board and Department of Public Works members were joined by state Sen. Kelly Dooner and state Rep. Norman Orrall at the plant located at 55 East Grove St., near the Nemasket River.

“This project is a major milestone for Middleboro,” said Town Manager James McGrail. “Today’s groundbreaking is the result of years of planning, partnership and commitment to public health, and we are excited to see it come to life.”

Plans to rebuild the East Grove plant began in 2024, after water from the site tested above the state standard for acceptable levels of PFAS — also known as “forever chemicals.” PFAS are used in a wide array of products, including cookware and packaging.

McGrail said, the plant will allow the town to “provide residents with the highest quality drinking water while preserving the historic character of the site.” The project is expected to be completed in August 2027. 

The East Grove project is part of a larger $80 million plan to reduce PFAS in Middleboro’s water below detectable levels ahead of the 2031 compliance deadline set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Other efforts include replacing and improving treatment systems at five additional wells throughout town, as well as the installation of a new water filling station — with low or undetectable PFAS levels — which opened last month at the Middleboro Department of Public Works at 65 Sachem St.

“Our priority is simple: making sure every resident has access to safe and dependable drinking water,” said Select Board Chair Mark Germain. “This facility is the next step in delivering on that commitment.”