2016 Year in Review: The Horsham and Warminster Area Water Crisis

HORSHAM, PA -- One of the most controversial stories in the region of 2016 has been the ongoing water crisis affecting Horsham, Warminster, and several nearby areas. Dangerously high levels of cancer-causing chemicals PFOS and PFOA found in the water supply of local townships sparked at outcry and a resulting investigation. The contaimination was traced to firefighting foams used on the nearby Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove.

Contaminated water eventually led Aqua to shut down several drinking wells in Horsham and nearby communities. Local lawmakers have been lobbying the federal government to take a more active role in the situation, including the cleanup of the chemicals spilled into local bodies of water and the water supply. Lawmakers and activists also rallied for the federal government to pay for residents to have their blood tested for dangerous levels of the chemicals.

Here's a look back at Patch's coverage of the crisis in 2016:

Lawmakers Urge Navy To Address Water Contamination In Horsham

“Our families deserve answers."

Horsham Reportedly Takes Aqua Well Offline

Horsham Township has taken its Aqua PA well offline after passing a new regulation which prohibits any township drinking water to contain PFOS and PFOA.

Horsham Water Authority Issues Statement As Public Wells Shut Down

Three of Horsham's public water supply wells have been shut down.

State Provides Horsham Residents With Bottled Water

Recognizing the risk of contamination from harmful chemicals in the water supply, the state will provide residents with bottled water.

Erin Brockovich Law Firm To Hold Community Meeting On Horsham Water Contamination

Weitz and Luxenberg, the law firm associated with consumer advocate Erin Brockovich, will present their investigation's preliminary findings.

Horsham To Hold Public Council Meeting On Water Quality

Horsham Township said they hope to have a "standard of water quality that far exceeds any other in the nation" by the end of 2016.

LETTER: Don't Drink the Water In Horsham

Firefighting foam is a significant threat to public health in Horsham and the surrounding area, one local man argues.

Pennsylvania Family Sues Navy for Contaminated Water

A Pennsylvania family is suing the U.S. Navy for medical and environmental costs incurred by the contaminated water.

Erin Brockovich Law Firm To Look Into Local Water Contamination

The law firm that works with Erin Brockovich announced on Tuesday that they will be investigating the drinking water contamination in Horsham

No Evidence Of 'Cancer Cluster' In Warminster, Horsham

Federal study on cancer rates in Warminster, Warrington and Horsham has been released.

Air Force To Stop Using PFOS and PFOA in Firefighting Foam

The Air Force will stop using the chemicals that have contaminated the groundwater in the Horsham, Warminster, and Warrington area.

Hatboro Assures Residents: Our Water Is Fine

Horsham may have just taken three wells offline but Hatboro's water ... we would like to inform residents that the Borough's water supply is safe.

Erin Brockovitch-Backed Law Firm Files Lawsuit Against Firefighting Foam Manufacturers

The lawsuit states that producers of the foams should have known that inclusion of PFOS and PFOA could pose a major risk to the environment.

Polluted Water Pumped Into Creek In Horsham: Report

Untreated water containing chemicals from the Horsham Air Guard Station is being pumped into Park Creek, a new report shows.

Protesters Rally In Huntingdon Valley, Demand Navy Pay For Blood Tests

Protesters demanded Sunday that the Navy pay for blood tests for residents possibly affected by PFC contamination in their drinking water.

Patch file photo.