The Doylestown Township Municipal Authority is set to approve payments for the design of new PFAS treatment facilities at its Thursday, Sept. 17 meeting.
The authority's board will consider two invoices from Gilmore & Associates for Phase 1 and Phase 2 design work on treatment systems meant to filter per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly called PFAS, from the township's drinking water, according to the meeting agenda.
The design work is part of a broader upgrade to the authority's Central Wells 5 and 7 near Steeplechase Drive. The authority partnered with Gilmore & Associates in June 2023 to design the facilities.
On April 16, State Sen. Steve Santarsiero and State Rep. Tim Brennan announced the authority had been awarded a $4,440,800 PENNVEST grant to fund construction of a new treatment building. That building will house granular-activated carbon filters for PFAS removal, Greensand Plus filters for manganese removal, new chlorination equipment and a 30,000-gallon holding tank for PFAS backwash water, according to Santarsiero's office.
The project responds to tightening federal and state standards. Central Well No. 5 was found to contain 20 parts per trillion of PFOA and 20 parts per trillion of PFOS. Both readings exceeded the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's 2023 limits of 14 parts per trillion for PFOA and 18 for PFOS.
The EPA's current standard, set in 2024, is 4 parts per trillion for both PFOA and PFOS.
"This 4.4 million dollar grant is a major win for the residents who rely on the Doylestown Township Municipal Authority for high-quality drinking water," Santarsiero said in April when the grant was announced.
The authority, which serves Doylestown Township, Plumstead Township and parts of New Britain Borough, first encountered PFAS problems in May 2016. It closed the Cross Keys Well after testing showed contamination above the EPA's health advisory level at the time, according to the authority's website.
Worth & Company, the general contractor on the Central Wells 5 and 7 well house upgrade, is also on the agenda for two payment applications. The authority's project page had listed an August 2026 projected completion date for the upgrade.
Beyond water treatment, the board will consider releasing financial security and professional services escrow for Better Living Homes' Enclave at Oxford Lane development, also known as the Quinlan Tract.
The board will also vote on a deed of dedication and easement agreement for a property at 651 North Shady Retreat Road.
A budget work session is scheduled for 1 p.m., ahead of the 3:30 p.m. public meeting at 425 Wells Road. The next DTMA board meeting is Thursday, Oct. 15.
