Officials Look To Ease Concerns About Contaminated Ground Water In Local Suburban Townships
HORSHAM, Pa. (CBS) -- Dozens of local, state and federal officials fielded questions Wednesday in Horsham Township about the contaminated water linked to military bases. It was in response to the recent shut down of dozens of public and private wells.
There was a high level of anxiety and frustration inside the Horsham Community Center.
"I didn't get any answers," said one woman. "They're not telling us anything."
"All they're doing right now is shutting down wells that have levels above what the EPA limit say is safe," said another woman. "That's not good enough. They really need to filter the entire system."
Other say they felt better after visiting booths staffed with officials.
"They told me how the regulations have changed, where the contamination is coming from, which wells are shut down, which wells are active," said Greg Morris of Horsham, "and what they're doing to remedy the problem."
The U.S. Navy's Greg Preston says they're now working with impacted townships on a long-term solution.
"We actually have contracts with both the Horsham Water Authority and the Warminster Water Authority, and we have funded them and they are in the process of constructing these granular activated carbon units to filtrate the water."
Township officials from Warrington, Warminster and Horsham tried to ease concerns by explaining that work is underway on a permanent solution.
"We just submitted design plans for a filtration system to be installed for wells 1,2 and 6," said Christian Jones, Warrington's Director of Water and Sewer. "The Air National Guard will reimburse us for the cost."
