Pennsylvania American Water presents PFAS treatment plant plan for Silver Spring Township

Pennsylvania American Water Company representatives asked the Silver Spring Township Planning Commission to accept a preliminary land development plan for a PFAS treatment plant serving the township.

Attorney Joseph Catazzi and Senior Engineer Jacob Rowe described a carbon-based PFAS treatment system and said the plant "has the capacity to supply 8 million gallons a day." The applicant told the commission it will submit revisions to the plan and has requested three waivers. Catazzi said the applicant already received a variance for the building height and a special exception for the use from the township Zoning Hearing Board.

Commission members asked technical and operational questions. Commissioner Adrian Arnold asked how the carbon system works; Rowe explained the carbon vessels and the maintenance and disposal process. Commissioner Randy Duncan asked whether the sites capacity was maxed out; Rowe reiterated the site maximum of "8 million gallons a day" and said the internal vessels are welded steel with a protective coating to resist corrosion. Neighbor Clarence Bouchat asked whether PFAS are naturally occurring; Rowe said, "PFAS are generally byproducts of industrial processes" and noted the contaminants are present in the river basin used for intake.

The applicant requested the item be tabled for plan revisions and the Planning Commission voted to table the Silver Spring PFAS Treatment Plant preliminary land development plan on a Secary/Duncan motion. In liaison remarks later in the meeting, Board Liaison Laura Brown said the Board of Supervisors approved a time extension for the PFAS plan (see liaison report).