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Aqua Pennsylvania wins approval to add PFAS treatment at Neshaminy plant; construction to finish by 2028
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Summary
The board granted preliminary and final land‑development approval for PFAS treatment upgrades at the Neshaminy Water Treatment Plant, allowing Aqua PA to add a PFAS treatment building, pumping station and storage tank. Applicant said construction is scheduled to finish in 2028; spent carbon media will be handled by a third party (Calgon).
The Middletown Township Board of Supervisors unanimously approved preliminary and final land‑development plan approval for upgrades to the Neshaminy Water Treatment Plant at 2050 and 2520 Old Lincoln Highway, a project Aqua Pennsylvania said is intended to remove PFAS from the drinking water supply and meet forthcoming EPA regulations.
Gina Gerber, counsel for the applicant, told the board the project will add a PFAS treatment system and include demolition of an existing circular basin, a new pumping station, a PFAS treatment building that will house vessels for PFAS removal and a storage tank. Project engineer Janie Jordan said construction is scheduled to finish in 2028, ahead of the 2029 regulatory deadline.
Board members and residents asked operational questions: ‘What do you do with it once you remove it from the water?’ Parks/planning questions and a resident asked where contaminated media will be disposed. Project staff explained that carbon media will capture PFAS and be removed for off‑site reactivation and high‑temperature treatment by a contractor; the applicant named Calgon as the vendor they use to manage and reactivate carbon. The applicant also said the system is not expected to add employees and is intended to reduce PFAS concentrations in the water.
A staff report in the board packet noted that the application received a recommendation from the planning commission and that only two waivers were requested (concurrent preliminary/final approval and no landscaping plan). Applicant counsel also said they will seek PENVEST and other funding programs to offset costs.
The board attached standard conditions: compliance with the Middletown Township Subdivision and Land Development and Zoning Ordinances (unless relief was granted by the appropriate authorities) and the addressing of remaining review comments. The motion to grant preliminary and final approval passed 5‑0.
What’s next: Applicant said bidding will start immediately and construction should begin soon with an anticipated completion in 2028. The board required applicants to address remaining review comments and comply with township ordinances.
