Bill would remove water surcharges associated with PFAS

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Legislation recently introduced in the state House would eliminate local surcharges that customers are charged to remove per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from local drinking water supplies.

PFAS are man-made chemicals used in a variety of industries. Drinking water can be contaminated by an industrial facility producing PFAS or from a location where PFAS was used for firefighting.

House Bill 1410 would redirect a portion of state tax revenue generated on and around the former Willow Grove Naval Air Station in Montgomery County, which closed in 2006, to a newly created municipal authority. The funds would eliminate the local surcharges customers pay for clean water, water remediation, and infrastructure to encourage redevelopment of the base.

The bill also would require PENNVEST, which invests in sewer, stormwater, and drinking water projects throughout the state, to develop a program to address PFAS water contamination.

“The federal government polluted our water and our ratepayers (residents) are footing the bill to clean it up – this is completely unfair and must stop,” Rep. Todd Stephens (R-Montgomery), who introduced the bill, said.

Long-term exposure to PFAS has been linked to multiple illnesses.