City officials said today that Philadelphia’s water is still safe to drink and use. No further recommendations will be needed as models have shown that the potential threat of a March 24, 2023 spill along a tributary of the Delaware River in Bristol Township, Bucks County, passes.
“I am grateful that no residents were exposed to unsafe chemicals in the city’s tap water after the spill,” said Mayor Jim Kenney . “This is the result of swift action, caution and preparedness by city departments and partners, and their commitment to the well-being and health of all Philadelphia residents.”
This update is based on water sampling conducted this morning, Tuesday, March 28, 2023, and hydraulic modeling that takes into account the amount of rainfall that fell in the Delaware River basin on Monday, March 27 and Tuesday, March 28, as well as runoff and river flow. More than 100 additional samples taken by PWD, regional water utilities, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found no detectable levels of chemicals associated with the spill.
Because these findings do not indicate a threat to public health, city officials are discontinuing current monitoring recommendations at the Baxter drinking water treatment plant.
Philadelphia’s drinking water is still safe to drink and use. No contaminants have been detected in the PWD water supply since the spill.
Next steps.
Out of caution and in cooperation with PA DEP, PWD will continue enhanced monitoring of the Delaware River and Baxter Drinking Water Treatment Plant for materials related to the spill. Information related to this incident, including water sampling results, will be available online when available.
PWD will conduct a thorough impact assessment and focus on infrastructure priorities and other long-term measures that are necessary to improve the sustainability of Philadelphia’s drinking water system. These priorities are articulated in PWD’s Water Revitalization Plan. Read more here .
Background
A synthetic latex product spilled from a facility in Trinseo along a tributary of the Delaware River near the town of Bristol, Baxter County, 13 miles north of the Baxter Drinking Water Treatment Plant intake, shortly before midnight on Friday, March 24, 2023.
The spilled product is used to make products such as headlight covers. The main substances tested were butyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate and methyl methacrylate.
PWD was notified by the Delaware Valley Early Warning System at 00:37 on Saturday, March 25, 2023.
In response, PWD shut off intakes at the Baxter Drinking Water Treatment Plant as a precautionary measure and worked diligently with partners to create a thorough monitoring plan to determine if any contaminated water entered the Baxter Drinking Water Treatment Plant.
The Baxter Drinking Water Treatment Plant is one of three major water treatment plants that provide water to city residents.
In the Know.
To receive drinking water quality alerts, sign up for the ReadyPhiladelphia program by texting READYPHILA to 888-777 for free phone alerts, or set up free text and email alerts by visiting the Department of Emergency Services website at www.phila.gov/ready .
For official updates from the Philadelphia Water Department, follow @PhillyH2O.
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