Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Water Treatment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Zoning board approves Pennsylvania American Water expansion for PFAS treatment in Mechanicsburg
Summary
The Silver Spring Township Zoning Hearing Board unanimously approved a special exception and height variance for Pennsylvania American Water Company to expand PFAS filtration at its water treatment facility at 109 Sample Bridge Road, citing regulatory requirements and public health protections.
The Silver Spring Township Zoning Hearing Board unanimously approved a Pennsylvania American Water Company proposal Dec. 9 to expand a water treatment facility at 109 Sample Bridge Road in Mechanicsburg to add granular activated vessels and transfer pumps for PFAS removal. The board granted a special exception under Section 603 and a height variance under Section 204.C after hearing testimony that the upgrades are required by state and federal regulations to protect drinking water.
PAWC Senior Project Manager Jacob Rowe told the board the new filters are "akin to an enlarged version of a Brita water filter" and that Department of Environmental Protection standards and federal guidelines require the filters to be stored in a secured area. The company was represented by counsel Joseph Katuzzi and by GHD Project Manager Joshua Calhoun. Zoning Hearing Officer Chelsea Leiby confirmed that required legal notices were published and posted.
Township staff said the expansion complies with applicable zoning requirements except for the building height, which triggered the variance request. After adjourning briefly to an executive session for quasi-judicial deliberations, Board Member Darrell McMillan moved to approve the special exception and the variance; Vice Chairman Richard Maffett seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimous (4–0).
The approvals allow PAWC to construct the equipment housing that will exceed the township's 35-foot maximum height in the Residential (R-1) district. The board record states PAWC emphasized regulatory mandates and the project's role in ensuring safe drinking water for Silver Spring residents. The board did not receive any public comment on the applications during the hearing.
Next steps for PAWC are implementation of the approved plans consistent with township and DEP requirements; the transcript does not specify a construction timeline or permit dates.
