Northampton, Bucks County, Municipal Authority Awarded $1.99 Million MIRIA Grant for PFAS Treatment Systems

The Northampton, Bucks County, Municipal Authority (NBCMA) has been awarded close to two million dollars in grant funding from the Military Installation Remediation and Infrastructure Authority (MIRIA) to support the design, permitting, and construction of PFAS treatment systems at three NBCMA groundwater wells.

The grant was approved at MIRIA’s Board meeting on December 12, 2025, as confirmed by Larry Burns, Executive Director of MIRIA, and supports NBCMA’s proactive efforts to address PFAS impacts associated with the former Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWC) Warminster.

The Authority purchases nearly 80% of its water from the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority. The water originates at the Forrest Park Water Treatment Plant in Chalfont Pennsylvania. The Forrest Park Treatment Plant is a surface water treatment plant which is unaffected by the ground water contamination issues in our region.

All fifteen wells in the NBCMA system have been impacted by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) originating from the former NAWC Warminster. At present, five wells remain out of service due to PFOS and PFOA concentrations at or near the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s maximum contaminant levels (MCLs). In total, thirteen wells exceed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s federal MCLs and will require treatment by 2029 in order to remain operational.

The MIRIA grant will fund the design, permitting, and construction of PFAS treatment systems at three NBCMA-owned and operated well sites. Wells selected for treatment are based on PFAS concentrations, system capacity, operational importance, and the feasibility of installing treatment given site conditions, water quality, and regulatory requirements.

To date, the U.S. Navy and Department of Defense have provided funding through a Cooperative Agreement for water main extensions and connections for private wells affected by PFAS. Funding had not previously been allocated for treatment at NBCMA production wells. This grant represents a critical investment in long-term water system resilience and regulatory compliance.

“This funding allows NBCMA to plan ahead and protect future water supplies while continuing to deliver safe drinking water today,” said Mike Sullivan, NBCMA Executive Director. “Our customers can be confident that the water they receive from NBCMA is safe, monitored, and compliant, and that we are actively investing in solutions for the future.”

NBCMA thanks MIRIA for its continued commitment to communities impacted by former military installations and looks forward to advancing this important infrastructure project.

To learn more about NBCMA and the Navy PFAS Remediation Project, visit: https://www.nbcmatoday.org/navy-pfas-remediation-project