Middle Spring Creek

Why is DEP Investigating?

• In August 2023, surface water sample results were provided to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) by Pennsylvania American Water.  The notification indicated that the water in Middle Spring Creek was impacted by PFOA and PFOS detections up to 29 and 156 nanograms per liter (ng/L), respectively.  DEP took steps to begin a thorough investigation of the surrounding area.
• On April 10, 2024, the United States Environmental Protection Agency published a final National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for six PFAS.  This NPDWR established MCLs for regulated drinking water sources as 4 ng/L for both PFOA and PFOS, 10 ng/L for both PFHxS and PFNA, and 2,000 ng/L for PFBS.  As of June 25, 2024, these MCLs became effective and were subsequently adopted as Pennsylvania MCLs.  Exposure to concentrations of PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, and PFBS above their respective MCLs poses a threat to human health when ingested in water.  These concentrations have also been established as the Medium Specific Concentrations (MSCs) for PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, and PFBS in groundwater by DEP’s Land Recycling Program.  Pennsylvania does not currently have surface water quality criteria for PFAS compounds. 
• DEP is investigating groundwater in the area to determine the extent of PFOA and PFOS in the aquifer underlying the area.   

Public and Private Well Water and Surface Water Investigation and DEP’s Response

• In 2024, DEP collected samples from nine private potable wells and 10 surface-water sites. Results of this sampling ranged (combined for PFOA/PFOS/PFHxS/PFNA/PFBS) from 3.4 ppt to 8,953.7 ppt in the private wells; and 42.5 ppt to 607.3 ppt in Middle Spring Creek and its tributaries.
• In August 2024, drinking water was sampled in residences in the vicinity of Fish Hatchery Road.  Five residences were sampled and four residences had PFOS concentrations ranging from 9.7 ng/L to 5,943.5 ng/L, PFOA concentrations ranging from 38.2 ng/L to 1,795.3 ng/L, PFHxS concentrations ranging from 18.5 ng/L to 623.7 ng/L, PFNA concentrations ranging from 4 ng/L to 112.6 ng/L, and PFBS concentrations ranging from 3.4 ng/L to 137.8 ng/L.
• On September 11, 2024, four additional residences were sampled and three were found to have PFAS contamination.  The results showed PFOS concentrations as high as 1,771.9 ng/L, PFOA concentrations as high as 487.1 ng/L, PFHxS concentrations as high as 187.3 ng/L, PFNA concentrations as high as 30.6 ng/L, and PFBS concentrations as high as 38.6 ng/L.   
• DEP has not yet identified the source of the PFOA/PFOS/PFHxS/PFNA/PFBS contamination in Southampton Townships.
• Figure 1 sample locations
• DEP's responsibility under HSCA is to select a remedy that is protective of human health and the environment and complies with all statutory and regulatory requirements.
• DEP held a public meeting on February 20, 2025.
• February 2025 meeting presentation
  • Informational Meeting
• HSCA continues its investigation as to the source(s) and extent of PFAS contamination. PFAS has been found at almost every site sampled. HSCA has identified multiple residences that are consuming water that exceeds the MCLs. HSCA is preparing a Prompt Interim Response to bring potable water to these residents.

Source Investigation

• DEP is looking into all Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs). If you have any information related to any potential sources of PFAS contamination, please feel free to provide that information to DEP using the contact information at the bottom of this page.
• To date, DEP continues to actively sample private potable wells, streams, springs, and selected monitoring wells. Future investigation may include: (1) private potable well sampling, (2) stream and soil sampling, (3) drilling of monitor wells, (4) biosolids and septic tank sampling, and (5) historical and current land-use, releases, and remediation. Additional work may include groundwater flow modeling to better identify potential pathways and sources of PFAS contamination.

Prompt Interim Response - Administrative Record

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), under the authority of the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act (HSCA) (35 P.S. §§6020.101-6020.1305) proposed a prompt interim response at the Township PFC site (Site). This prompt interim response was initiated pursuant to HSCA Sections 501(a) and 505(b), (35 P.S. §§6020.501(a) and 6020-505(b)).

A full copy of the notice published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin contains additional information and can be viewed here (PDF).

The Analysis of Alternatives and Proposed Response document, which outlines DEP’s decision-making process, can be viewed here(PDF).

The Administrative Record which contains information about this Site and which supports DEP’s decision can be viewed here.