DEP To Begin Testing Some Private Wells In Doylestown For Contamination

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection announced it will begin sampling some residential wells in Doylestown following elevated levels of perfluorinated compounds found in water in parts of the township.

The DEP revealed in late June it is investigating elevated levels of the contaminant found in water in parts of Doylestown, Plumstead and Buckingham townships, near the Cross Keys area.

According to information from Doylestown Township, in late June, the DEP mailed approximately 375 well surveys and information sheets to residential and commercial properties with a private well within the one-mile radius of the Doylestown Township Municipal Authority supply well affected by the PFOA
and PFOS contamination.

The DEP was scheduled this week to begin sampling of the residential wells.

"Sampling will be performed in a phased approach; wells located closest to the known detection will be
targeted first, as well as highly sensitive populations such as daycares. The sampling events are limited in size due to the availability and capacity of the laboratory," information from the township said.

The DEP will be notifying property owners at least 48 hours in advance once they are ready to collect a
sample from their property.

Owners will receive a copy of the results within a month. Properties found to have contaminated water will be provided with bottled water, the township said.

PFOS are perfluorinated compounds that are or were once used in a variety of consumer products, such as fire-fighting foam, stain and water repellants, paper products, the lining of microwave popcorn bags, floor wax and non-stick cookware. In laboratory animals, PFOS have been known to cause developmental, reproductive and other adverse effects.