HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has confirmed that air and water quality in Montgomery County remain unaffected following the fire at SPS Technologies in Abington Township. Environmental testing results, conducted in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Philadelphia Water Department (PWD), indicate no detection of chemicals of concern in the air and no contamination of local drinking water supplies.
The fire, which occurred on February 17, prompted an immediate multi-agency response, including personnel from DEP, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), and local emergency services. DEP has maintained an on-site presence since the incident began, overseeing water quality monitoring efforts and assisting with emergency operations. According to DEP Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley, the department’s sampling results confirm that the fire poses no risk to drinking water safety.
“Sampling results by DEP show no concern for drinking water safety from the fire, and the department is working closely with SPS on the site’s cleanup,” said Shirley. “Moving forward, DEP will conduct inspections of storage tanks, ensure proper disposal of debris, and continue collaborating with SPS on the site’s long-term plans.”
Air quality monitoring, conducted by the EPA, detected no harmful substances outside of the facility. Simultaneously, water quality tests by both the DEP and PWD have found no contamination in the Delaware River or nearby water supplies. DEP is also overseeing efforts to prevent firefighting water from entering Tookany Creek by ensuring it is collected into holding tanks. This water will be treated at the facility’s wastewater treatment plant before being transferred to PWD for disposal.
Highlighting the complexity of the response, PEMA Director Randy Padfield commended the collaboration between state, county, and local agencies. “Incidents like the one at this facility can quickly become more complicated due to the nature of the materials used onsite,” Padfield noted. “Quickly establishing the coordination among state, county and local leadership and responders was essential to protecting both lives and property in the surrounding area.”
Governor Josh Shapiro has been actively involved in the response. On February 22, Governor Shapiro and Padfield visited Montgomery County, meeting with emergency responders and community leaders to offer support and discuss future recovery needs. PEMA is also working with the county to address any gaps related to recovery operations, including replacing damaged or contaminated firefighting equipment.
SPS Technologies, a manufacturer of fasteners and materials for the aviation industry, has been working closely with DEP and other agencies during recovery efforts. With the fire now extinguished, DEP is preparing to move into a follow-up phase. This includes inspections of the facility’s storage tanks, oversight of chemical and debris disposal, removal of asbestos, and collaboration with SPS on the long-term plans for the site.
The swift and continued efforts by DEP, PEMA, and local responders underscore the significance of ensuring public safety and environmental protection during such incidents. By employing comprehensive monitoring and recovery strategies, Pennsylvania aims to minimize risks while holding the responsible parties accountable for site remediation.
Looking ahead, DEP’s ongoing evaluation and recovery efforts are expected to provide further assurances to residents that the air and water in Montgomery County remain safe. The agency’s collaboration with state and local partners will ensure that all necessary actions are taken to restore the site and address any emerging concerns.
DEP and EPA will continue monitoring air and water quality. Find the latest testing updates on DEP’s website: dep.pa.gov/spstechnologies. For updates from local authorities or assistance for Pennsylvanians, visit Abington Township’s website: abingtonpa.gov/spsupdates.
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