State Provides Montco Residents With Bottled Water

HORSHAM, PA -- The state will provide bottled drinking water to Horsham residents after they confirmed the levels of dangerous chemicals in the area of Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base (NAS JRB) Willow Grove, according to Gov. Tom Wolf's office.

Dangerous levels of two chemicals used for firefighting on the base may have leaked into the soil and affected the groundwater and tapwater for area residents, according to the state.

The chemicals, perfluorooctane sulphonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), have been the subject of controversy in the township for years.

“We are taking precautionary action to ensure all residents in the area are receiving water until we receive further guidance from the EPA on this matter,” Governor Wolf said.

Recently, Rep. Todd Stephens joined with several local area lawmakers in petitioning the Navy to examine more closely the possible health effects of the contamination.

“I appreciate the governor and DEP working with us to provide safe drinking water to local residents,” Stephens said. “The state must continue to protect its residents.”

Free bottled water was made available for pickup by residents of Horsham, Warrington and Warminster beginning at noon on Friday at the Horsham Community Center on 025 Horsham Road in Horsham.

Bottled water will be available Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and DEP staff will be on hand both days to facilitate distribution. Residents will be provided with 2 cases of water per day.

Bottled water is available to residents on public water systems and private wells that have tested below the PHAL levels for PFOS/PFOA but still detect the chemicals, the state said. Residents whose private wells are contaminated above the PHALs (0.2 ppb for perfluorooctane sulphonate or PFOS and 0.4 ppb for perfluorooctanoic acid or PFOA) are currently supplied with bottled water by the U.S. Navy and Air National Guard.