$2.7M Settlement Reached In Delaware River Chemical Spill

LOWER BUCKS COUNTY, PA —The company responsible for a chemical spill last year into the Delaware River that caused concerns over drinking water contamination has reached a settlement.

More than a year after a chemical spill in the Delaware River that led to widespread panic purchases of water in Lower Bucks County and the Philadelphia region, a settlement has been reached, and you could be entitled to a cut of the funds.

A $2.7 million class action settlement was reached after the March 24, 2023, spill in Bristol Township.

Trinseo PLC., a specialty material solutions provider, said in a statement that the March 24 spill was caused after a pipe carrying a non-toxic "latex emulsion product" above ground from the production area of its Altuglas plant in Bristol Township to a holding tank failed.

A lawsuit was filed against the company, which explained the reasons for the spill a short time later.

The company said that 8,100 gallons of the material overflowed an on-site containment system and entered Otter Creek through a stormwater drain before flowing into the Delaware River.

The material was about 50 percent water with the remainder latex polymer, the company said.

Latex emulsion is a white liquid used in Altuglas’ downstream production processes associated with acrylic plastics that are in turn used in medical, automotive, and other various end applications. Its pigmentation makes the material visible in surface water, Trinseo stated.

According to the settlement, those who meet certain requirements can get a $25 gift card as part of the settlement. If even further economic loss can be proved, you may be entitled to more funds.

Anyone who lived in, or entities that operated a physical business located in the following ZIP codes from March 24, 2023, to March 30, 2023, may be entitled to settlement funds.

The zip codes are 19102, 19103, 19106, 19107, 19109, 19111, 19112, 19114, 19115, 19116, 19119, 19120, 19121, 19122, 19123, 19124, 19125, 19126, 19128, 19129, 19130, 19132, 19133, 19134, 19135, 19136, 19137, 19138, 19140, 19141, 19144, 19145, 19146, 19147, 19148, 19149, 19152 and 19154.

Residents of those ZIP codes are entitled to funds if they "suffered an economic loss," such as the purchase of bottled water, transportation costs, or business interruption losses, as a result of the spill, or because of the public notice and drinking water advisories issued in connection with that release.

See full details on how to submit a claim and the settlement online here.

Patch Staff Writer Max Bennett contributed to this story