Doylestown, Pennsylvania
Private well water in an area of Bucks County, PA, (pop. 626,976) was polluted. For three decades, residents and businesses in the Cross Keys neighborhood of Doylestown, Buckingham, and Plumstead townships had to rely on bottled water and carbon filters for potable water.
The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) had been continuously monitoring the pollution. In May 2008, random tests found tetrachloroethylene (also known as perchloroethylene, or PCE, a chemical used primarily for dry cleaning and metal degreasing), dichloroethylene, and dioxane. Although no residents had reported health issues, exposure to high concentrations of PCE can be dangerous, possibly even resulting in death.
DEP contacted Richard John, executive director of the Doylestown Township Municipal Authority (DTMA), about the increased levels of PCE in the area’s well water. John immediately alerted Stephanie Mason, manager of Doylestown Township, PA, (pop. 17,506) and they convened a meeting with the other two affected municipalities, represented by Carolyn McCreary, manager of Plumstead Township, and Dana Cozza, manager of Buckingham Township.
After thoroughly researching their options, local officials agreed that the best solution would be to run a new water line to the area, at an estimated cost of $2.8 million, and to require all residents and businesses to connect to the new system. They could apply to the state’s hazardous sites cleanup program for funding.
Doylestown Township agreed to take the lead role, since DTMA and township offices are located in the same building and have an established working relationship. Each of the managers took the plan to her board, emphasizing that it represented a unique opportunity to correct a long-standing problem. Realizing that mandating residents connect to the new public water system could be controversial, the managers emphasized the timeliness of the plan and availability of state funding.
DTMA and the townships hosted two public meetings, where they explained the process of applying for a state grant and why it was urgent to act while funds were available. Residents, business owners, and commercial property owners enthusiastically endorsed the project, seeing the obvious benefits to everyone who lived and worked in the area.
The state awarded the townships and DTMA a $2 million grant, which would cover the residential connections. Business owners who benefited from the project would have to cover the remaining $800,000 cost themselves.
The townships signed inter-municipal agreements naming Doylestown Township as the lead agency and authorizing DTMA to construct the project, acquire the necessary easements, and operate the completed system. DTMA bid the construction out in April 2010 and work took place through the spring. To avoid the costs of having to restore state roads, they ran the water lines through backyards. To head off any problems, DTMA employees literally walked the main water route with property owners every day, making adjustments as needed.
In less than 120 days, 18,000 linear feet of water line were installed, connecting 111 properties to clean water. By December 2010, most properties had connected to the new line. As an added bonus, the project came in under budget at $2.76 million.
By working together, three townships, DTMA, and the state were able to respond to a long-standing need in record time.
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