Grant funding secured by Aqua highlights company’s commitment to remove “forever chemicals” while minimizing customer cost
Aqua Pennsylvania announced December 5 the completion of a PFAS treatment system at its Hatboro well station in Montgomery County. This is the fifth PFAS treatment facility that Aqua Pennsylvania has completed and placed into operation since 2018, all of which meet the new PFAS national drinking water standard. This new system removes PFAS from drinking water sources from two wells serving nearly 13,000 people in the Hatboro area.
“The treatment at these Hatboro wells is the culmination of years of work on PFAS including laboratory testing to identify the presence of these chemicals, setting an internal aggressive removal target before most regulations existed, installing treatment to remove PFAS from drinking water in the Pennsylvania communities we serve, and now continuing as leaders to meet state and federal regulations,” said Aqua Pennsylvania President Marc Lucca.
Aqua Pennsylvania secured $5.5 Million in grant funding through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) to construct the facility at no direct cost to customers. New chemical storage and feed equipment, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, instrumentation monitoring and control systems will also be integrated with the treatment building.
“Aqua Pennsylvania is doing everything possible to ensure customers are not saddled with the cost of construction for PFAS removal,” said Lucca. “We have and will continue to aggressively seek grants and low-interest loans to keep these necessary improvements from becoming a financial burden for our customers.”
State officials were also on hand to highlight the importance of removing PFAS from drinking water in the Commonwealth.
“It is an accomplishment to be proud of. I know that I am proud to stand here today knowing the years of work that went into this from our Southeast regional staff and Aqua,” said Jessica Shirley, Acting Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. We are ready to help other drinking water systems statewide get PFAS out of people’s water.”
“PFAS chemicals are a silent danger in everyday products, and taking action to eliminate them is essential to safeguarding our community's health,” said Pennsylvania State Representative Nancy Guenst. “I am dedicated to addressing this issue head-on and ensuring our region becomes a safer, healthier place for everyone.”
"Every community deserves access to clean, safe drinking water, and the installation of this PFAS treatment system is a critical step in protecting public health,” said Pennsylvania State Representative Melissa Cerrato. “By addressing these harmful contaminants, we’re ensuring a healthier future for residents and reaffirming our commitment to environmental stewardship and community well-being."
The treatment becomes fully operational on December 9th.
