EMMAUS, Pa. — Emmaus has decided to keep its own municipal water supply as it continues to search for a solution to the supply's contamination by chemicals.
Borough Council voted unanimously Monday to choose address the problem by treating borough wells, which could cost $24 million to $30 million over 20 years.
- Emmaus has chosen to treat its own water supply after spending more than a year seeking a solution to the municipality's PFAS contamination issue
- Borough Council voted unanimously, with an estimated project completion of about two years
- The effort could cost $24 million to $30 million over 20 years, with grant funding expected to help
The water is contaminated by PFAS, or per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances — widely used chemicals found in food packaging, outdoor clothing, dental floss and more.
PFAS wind up in the environment in manufacturing emissions, or in municipal sewage sludge.
Borough Manager Shane Pepe specified that the decision was just about determining the method the borough would pursue, with additional specifications to be established later.
Pepe said the estimate for completion is about two years, and that recent federal grant money would be released to address PFAS issues once the borough would meet eligibility requirements.
"We do feel very good that there's funding that's going to be available," Pepe said. "And hopefully, a very, very, very large chunk of this upfront cost can be covered in grant money."
"It's been frustrating to me, because we want to get this remediated as quickly as possible — so that's what we're trying to do now."Borough Manager Shane Pepe
Officials originally estimated it would cost $400,000 to mitigate one well, but costs rose after finding the need for further mitigation efforts.
Next steps according to the borough would be further studies and work by consultants Gannet Fleming and borough staff to determine specific mitigation efforts.
"I know it's been frustrating the community," Pepe said. "It's been frustrating to me, because we want to get this remediated as quickly as possible — so that's what we're trying to do now."
Councilman John Hart acknowledged that none of the options was foolproof and all could offer unforeseen downsides, but that treating the borough's water was the best option.
He said tying the borough to outside costs of buying water and the many variables related to a hybrid approach makes retaining control over the situation by treating the borough's established water sources the right choice.
Harts said he sees the borough's water source as a resource, and that treating it is the way to go.
Council members thanked those who took the time during the prior meeting's hearing to make comments about the decision.
"It was not an easy decision, and this has been an ongoing issue," Councilwoman Shana Baumgarnter said. "I found the discussion on our May 1 meeting really valuable. Everybody had great questions, and it helped us sort through our own thinking."
A public concern
At the May 1 meeting, council and the public heard a presentation from Gannet Fleming on the options for PFAS remediation.
Alternatives included buying water from Lehigh County Authority’s Allentown system, which could cost $35 million to $45 million because of needed improvements and a pump station, or a hybrid approach combining both methods that would cost $30 million to $40 million.
Borough officials have been dealing with high levels of PFAS in residential water for years, first releasing a notice about the water system exceeding an EPA Lifetime Health Advisory Level for PFOS / PFOA in November 2021.
PFOS and PFOA are chemicals that are part of a larger group referred to as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
The manufactured chemicals have been used in consumer products since the 1940s, but have been nicknamed “forever chemicals” because they are incredibly slow to break down once introduced into the environment, and can contaminate groundwater.
Research suggests that high levels of certain PFAS may lead to increased cholesterol levels, changes in liver enzymes, small decreases in infant birth weight, decreased vaccine response in children, increased risk of high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia in pregnant women and increased risk of kidney or testicular cancer.
In mid-March, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a proposal to set nationwide maximum levels of PFAS allowable in public drinking water. The announcement came about three months after Pennsylvania adopted new regulations, but the EPA’s are almost four times as low.
Action taken, options available
A post on the borough's website explains that the aquifer that feeds two affected wells is adjacent to the borough fire training facility, and that over the years, firefighting foam was commonly used to extinguish fires during training and practice.
It was not until a few years before noticing the incident in 2021 that PFOF was designated a harmful agent to water sources.
The borough immediately stopped using the foam and prohibited its use at the fire training grounds.
I just hope that the fire stays under everyone to keep it moving forward as fast as possible.Emmaus resident Jessica Jacobs
The well with the highest concentration was shut down, but the borough said the other could not be shut down because of its impact on the available water supply to residents.
Emmaus resident Jessica Jacobs spoke to the council during public comment, saying she and her husband had been buying bottled water from the supermarket every week out of concern for consumption and bathing for their young children, causing a strain to their budget.
She said she is hopeful now that the borough is looking to treat and stay responsible for its own water.
"I just hope that the fire stays under everyone to keep it moving forward as fast as possible," Jacobs said.
Pepe said that if local residents are very concerned, filtration options for PFAS are available — such as carbon filtration systems for all water or reverse osmosis systems for drinking water. But Pepe said those may be expensive.
He recommended talking with companies specializing in water supply and filtration to figure out the best solution if concerned.
"Consulting with them, it's free, but before you go and buy something, talk to multiple — don't just talk to one and buy it," he said.
