New Ordinance Would Bring Traymore Public Water

Residents in the western end of Northampton Township might soon see a solution to their if a new ordinance is passed by the Board of Supervisors. 

The eight-page document outlines in detail the areas with contaminated groundwater, as identified by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). It then proposes that the affected residents would connect to public water and abandon their private wells, the costs of which will be covered by a DEP grant.

The township is responsible for constructing and updating the public water lines, which will be funded by a DEP grant.

If residents choose not to connect to public water, the privilege to access those funds will disseminate after 90 days. After that period, any connection will be performed by the township at the cost of the resident.

In their statement of decision on Oct. 28, 2011, the DEP announced it would step in and provide access to municipal water lines for the 107 homes with contaminated water. 

The Municipal Authority's first discovery of contamination was in 2008 in wells belonging to residents on Norwood Road. They found levels of Trichloroethylene (TCE) that were above the Safe Drinking Water Act's Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL).

After several rounds of testing, the DEP concluded that the water supplies at the affected homes had the potential for human health and ecological risks. 

The ordinance must be passed by the Board of Supervisors to take effect. Their next meeting is at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 25 in the .