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East Rockhill planners press to add PFAS, well protections and on-lot sewage rules to draft water chapter
Summary
At a May 2 Planning Commission work session, members asked staff to add PFAS contamination at the East/West Rockhill border to the Water and Sewer chapter, incorporate an existing wellhead-delineation ordinance, recommend Act 537 plan consideration, and propose an ordinance to regulate maintenance of on-lot sewage systems.
At a May 2 work session, the East Rockhill Township Planning Commission directed staff to strengthen the draft Water and Sewer chapter to address recent contamination and on-lot sewage concerns.
Luke Rosanova, who presented the chapter, said commissioners wanted to emphasize public education on water protection, stormwater management and maintenance of on-lot sewage systems. Commissioner Dave Nyman asked that the draft explicitly mention “PFAS contamination issues on the border of West Rockhill and East Rockhill,” saying the contamination is a recent major problem that could “likely involve shutting down several private wells in the affected area.”
Commissioner James Weikel noted the township already has “a wellhead delineation area ordinance, specifically for commercial lots,” and asked that the narrative incorporate that ordinance into the water-quality section. Mike Roedig recommended the chapter note potential updates to the township’s Act 537 sewage plan so the Board of Supervisors can consider them in the future; Roedig said there has not been a driving need yet to update the plan.
The commission also said, in response to a rise in failing on-lot systems, the draft should include a recommendation that the township consider adopting an ordinance to regulate maintenance of on-lot sewage systems. Commissioners asked that the chapter recommend continued intermunicipal information sharing and participation in the PACC as part of those efforts.
Public commenter Steven Coupas later asked whether households along Old Bethlehem Pike had been notified about PFAS contamination; the commission said it had no information and suggested he speak with the township manager, Marianne Morano.
The commission asked staff to incorporate these changes into the draft for further review; the next Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for August 1, when the Future Land Use chapter and Fair Share analysis will be discussed.
