Aqua PA reps talk PFAS, rates at Chalfont meeting

Two representatives of Aqua PA addressed public concerns over proposed rate hikes and PFAS contamination during a July 8 meeting with Chalfont Borough Council.

PFAS is a group of synthetic chemicals used in everything from food packaging to firefighting foam. Exposure to PFAS chemicals is linked to several birth defects, as well as kidney and thyroid issues.

PFAS molecules do not degrade easily in the natural environment and tend to linger for long periods of time, often leaking into soil, air and, of course, water.

“About 20 percent of all PFAS exposure comes from water,” said Aqua PA Representative David Rustif, who did the majority of the speaking during the meeting.

He described his years of experience dealing with PFAS contamination and explained how regulations surrounding the chemicals have become stricter over the years. He explained how, from 2009 to 2015, regulations used to allow for 200 parts of PFAS per trillion molecules of water, but that the current state regulations allow for just 18 ppt. As such, much of Aqua PA’s financial focus is on staying ahead of the curve as Rustif put it.

Aqua, he said, is putting funds toward new filtration technologies as well as lawsuits against potential sources of pollution.

The July council meeting had a large turnout of residents, eager to ask questions of the Aqua representatives. One discussion point that consistently reoccurred was Aqua’s rising prices. The water company recently proposed a rate increase of about 19%.

During last month’s meeting, borough residents compiled data which showed Aqua to be the second priciest water company in the area, charging considerably more for its services than DTMA, the water company that serves the neighboring Doylestown Township.

When asked about the proposed rate increase, Aqua’s representatives stated that they had already answered to the best of their abilities regarding where the funds are going, but that their rates would be discussed at another public meeting to be held at a future date.

Among those in attendance during the July meeting was Eli Moore, an intern sent on behalf of state Rep. Tim Brennan. Moore questioned the representatives from Aqua about their stance on the privatization of water, and what the company would do to prevent abuses of power. Aqua’s representatives simply stated that they were ill-equipped to answer that line of questioning.

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