Murt Asks Wolf to Visit Communities Impacted by PFAS

HARRISBURG—Rep. Thomas Murt (R-Montgomery/Philadelphia) today asked Gov. Tom Wolf to visit the communities of Montgomery County impacted by elevated levels of contaminants in their drinking water.

Murt wants the visit to include a tour of one of the contaminated bases and meetings with residents and local officials.

“There are many passionate leaders in my region dedicated to educating the public about this issue and lobbying for change from both water suppliers and government regulators,” Murt wrote in a letter to Wolf.

Murt explained that the communities of Horsham and Warminster have been hit hard by PFAS contamination and they are still dealing with catastrophic illness, loss of property value and fear.

The PFAS chemicals entered local water supplies from the Willow Grove Naval Air Station Joint Reserve where the Department of Defense used the chemicals in training to extinguish fires.

The state standard for PFAS in water is 70 parts per trillion. Water in the Horsham area has been shown to have higher levels of the chemical.

“The community of Upper Dublin is one such area in my district as it is located just 3 miles from the Willow Grove Naval Air Station,” Murt wrote. “That base still maintains contaminated soil where PFAS measures as high as 300,000 parts per trillion.”

The Centers for Disease Control says levels of 10 parts per trillion are safe for the drinking supply. Murt has introduced House Bill 705 to lower the state standard for PFAS to five parts per trillion.

“Every day, as these contaminants find their way into our local environment, Upper Dublin finds itself in their path because the steps taken to prevent contamination in other areas have not been taken there,” Murt said.

Representative Thomas P. Murt
152nd District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: David Foster
267.207.0207
dfoster@pahousegop.com
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