East Rockhill Township News.
The East Rockhill Board of Supervisors Tuesday, April 22 approved a conditional use adjudication for a new Perkasie Regional Authority water treatment facility at 1100 Branch Road.
The $10 million 35-foot barn-shaped facility is primarily aimed at reactivating and treating well #14, which has been inactive for years due to arsenic contamination. The new well will enable PRA to significantly increase its water supply, providing extra capacity in the event of an emergency, and reduce the wear and tear on other wells.
The project will also help to compensate for multiple PRA wells with PFAS contaminant levels in excess of the newly-announced Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) limit of four parts per trillion, set to take effect in 2029. PRA is about to start construction on a PFAS treatment facility on Three Mile Run Road.
At Tuesday’s meeting, Supervisor Jim Nietupski reiterated his concerns about the project’s impact on nearby private wells. While PRA promised to guarantee all wells within a one-mile radius of the facility, township solicitor Will Oetinger cautioned that the promise cannot be incorporated as a condition of the approval.
“What happens if they crank it up and a well goes dry?” asked Nietupski. “I’m trying to look out for the people who have private wells. I wanna make sure we’re exercising control where we can.”
In response, Supervisor Dave Nyman expressed confidence that PRA will abide by its promise and keep an open line of communication with the township.
After a brief discussion, the board unanimously approved the conditional use adjudication.
Towing ordinance
The board approved a new draft ordinance for towing and storage of disabled or abandoned vehicles. Changes include the direct submission of towing applications to the Pennridge Regional Police Department, rather than the township, a set fee schedule for towers and separate heavyweight and lightweight towing licenses. The towing business must also be located within five miles of any township border.
The next East Rockhill Board of Supervisors meeting is on May 27 at 7 p.m. For more information, visit eastrockhilltownship.org.
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