Public EPA Meeting In Horsham To Address Contaminated Water

A public meeting organized by the EPA regarding the local water crisis will be held at the Hatboro-HorshamHigh School on Wednesday, and the top water official in the government will be on hand as a guest speaker.

The event is being termed a "community engagement" day addressing polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances in the local drinking water supply. Many local leaders and politicians will be on hand, and other guest speakers include regional and national water officials.

PFAS have been found in water in Horsham, Warminster, and several nearby communities. The chemical likely leached into the groundwater from a firefighting foam used at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove, officials believe. Contaminated water led to Aqua shutting downs its wells, and spurredwidespread concerns about the safety of drinking water in the region.

A 2016 federal study found no evidence of a "cancer cluster" in the local area, despite concerns that a growing number of local residents were being taken ill due to the contamination.

On Wednesday, the meeting will be divided into two primary sessions: a "working" session including numerous guest speakers and community panels, and a "listening" session during which the public is invited to make comments.

The working session is broken down into a federal, state, and local panel. Peter Grevatt, the EPA's top water official, along with Maureen Sullivan, from the Department of Defense's environmental office, and representatives from the Centers from Disease Control will be on hand.

At 3:45 p.m., the mic is handed over the public. The event is slated to go until 9 p.m., giving local residents more than five hours to air their concerns.

Things get started at 10 a.m. at Hatboro-Horsham High School's auditorium, located on 899 Horsham Road in Horsham. In-person registration is requested, but not required to attend or speak at the event.

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