COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Dept. of Environmental Protection
Commonwealth News Bureau
Room 308, Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg PA., 17120
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
06/21/2016
CONTACT:
Virginia Cain, DEP
484-250-5808
PADEP to investigate perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) contamination on Easton Road, Bucks County
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is investigating perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) found in exceedance of the 2016 Lifetime Health Advisory Level (HAL) established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in parts of Doylestown, Plumstead, and Buckingham townships, Bucks County, near the Cross Keys area.
“At this time, the extent and source of the contamination is not yet known. DEP is working expediently to investigate private wells in the area, remove them from service and determine a long term solution,” said Southeast Regional Director Cosmo Servidio. “It is important to reiterate that all public municipal water in the area meets the EPA Health Advisory.”
On May 19, 2016, EPA issued a Lifetime Health Advisory Level (HAL) of 70 parts per trillion (ppt) for the combined concentration of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in drinking water. As a result, Doylestown Township Municipal Authority removed its “Cross Keys” public water supply well from service after PFOS and PFOA were found to be above the EPA’s new HAL.
DEP Southeast Regional Office immediately took steps to begin a thorough investigation of the surrounding area. Private well owners and community well owners serving highly sensitive populations, such as nursing homes and daycares, within approximately 1 mile of the impacted Cross Keys public well will be contacted to schedule water sampling for PFCs. Bottled water will be immediately provided to any residence whose samples exceed EPA’s Health Advisory Level for PFCs. Initial sampling results will form the foundation for further analysis of the extent of contamination in the area, potential remediation options and long-term solutions for residents. Activities pertaining to this investigation, including sampling and any necessary bottled water distribution, are fully funded by DEP’s Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund.
Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, DEP does not regulate private wells. Although DEP is testing for PFCs, it is recommended that all Pennsylvania residents with a private well have their well water sampled every 3 to 5 years for a variety of chemical compounds to ensure the water is safe to drink. DEP recommends private well owners contract with a state-certified lab that conducts drinking water tests. Contact information for state-certified labs can be found here. Should a resident desire PFC sampling separate from DEP’s investigation, it is advised to confirm with the lab before proceeding with sampling. Not all labs are capable of performing a comprehensive evaluation, and the number of labs certified to test for PFCs is limited.
More information on the Easton Road PFC investigation will be made available on DEP’s Southeast Regional Resources website, including information sheets, sampling maps, details for public information sessions and more as it becomes available.