PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP — Some residents in northern Kent County are drinking water with a lot less PFAS in it, Plainfield Township officials said.

A new filtration system made of coal and sand is clearing most of the likely carcinogen from Plainfield Township’s municipal water, according to Director of Public Services Rick Solle.

The township says tests showed the filters cut PFAS levels from 7.1 parts per trillion to 2.1 ppt. That’s far below the state limit of 70 ppt.

The plant serves about 40,000 people in the township and a few neighboring communities.

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The township gets its water from 11 wells, each with a trace amount of PFAS from an unknown source, according to township officials.

Early this month — in response to complaints from residents — the township installed two new filters at its treatment plant, paid for with part of a $750,000 state grant.

Between the two, they filter four million gallons of water a day — roughly half the amount used on an average summer day.

Each filter is made up of a one-foot layer of sand topped by four feet of bituminous coal. Partially treated water is drawn down through it to capture PFAS and other contaminants.

The township said it plans to install another filter early next month.