UPPER UWCHLAN, PA — To safeguard the local drinking water supply from contamination by harmful “forever chemicals,” Upper Uwchlan Township will benefit from a $2.1 million investment through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST). This funding, which includes a $1.375 million grant and a $724,986 low-interest loan, will support Aqua Pennsylvania in implementing critical treatment upgrades.
The project, financed by the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s Emerging Contaminants Grant program, will target perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), substances categorized as hazardous to human health. Aqua Pennsylvania plans to replace well pumps and install advanced anion exchange treatment systems at its Friendship well facility to reduce these chemicals in potable water for over 400 residents in the service area.
State Senator Katie Muth emphasized the significance of the PENNVEST funding. “Allowing permitted industries to continue the widespread use of toxic chemicals that last forever virtually guarantees that our sources of drinking water will become contaminated,” she stated. Muth also highlighted the need for corporate accountability, remarking, “If a for-profit, publicly traded utility provider like Aqua can access $2.1 million in federal and state funding, they should make a more concerted effort to keep rates down and not continue to force repair and acquisition costs onto their ratepayers.”
State Representative Danielle Friel Otten praised the initiative, stressing the long-term public health implications. “We all bear the costs of PFOA and PFOS contamination, whether directly through contaminated water or indirectly through public health consequences and environmental impacts,” she said. Otten underscored the importance of holding polluters accountable for water treatment costs, rather than burdening taxpayers or utility customers.
PENNVEST, a state authority focused on financing water, wastewater, and stormwater improvement projects, plays a crucial role in addressing contamination and pollution issues across Pennsylvania.
This project marks a critical step toward mitigating chemical contamination in the region. With federal and state support, local leaders are optimistic about safeguarding public health and setting a precedent for sustainable water management. Beyond providing immediate relief, the initiative sets the foundation for broader environmental protection efforts that could benefit communities across the state for years to come.
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