The Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority (BCWSA) plans to combat PFAS contamination in New Hope and Solebury using an innovative low-voltage electricity method, writes Zoe Read for WHYY.
This new approach, developed by TruClear Water Solutions, aims to break down the harmful “forever chemicals” rather than relying on the traditional carbon filtration method.
PFAS, prevalent in various consumer products and firefighting foams, have contaminated water supplies nationwide, posing serious health risks like thyroid disease and certain cancers.
Unlike carbon filtration, which generates waste requiring disposal, TruClear’s technology renders PFAS inert without creating hazardous by-products.
Detected above federal limits in 2016, PFAS levels in New Hope and Solebury prompted BCWSA to seek innovative solutions.
The new technology promises up to 100 percent removal of PFAS, though it awaits approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
BCWSA’s initiative, costing over $700,000 annually, is expected to raise water rates by 4 percent, but potential legal settlements may help offset expenses. This effort underscores BCWSA’s commitment to ensuring safe drinking water while addressing environmental impacts.
Read more about the BCWSA’s initiative to combat water contamination in WHYY.
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