Foams used to fight a massive 1986 tire fire at Bergey’s Tires in West Rockhill are being eyed as a potential source of area water contamination.
1/4 Hide caption Angela Goodwin, of West Rockhill, has been using bottled water for over a year because of high numbers of PFAS in her well water that she thinks was contaminated by firefighting foam years ago.
But it is another substance that the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is now investigating in dozens of nearby private drinking water wells: the unregulated chemicals PFOS and PFOA.
“The chief said the fire was too intense and the foam immediately dissolved.” PFOS and PFOA have been found in dozens of drinking water wells in the area, including in that of the Moyers, who live just 200 yards from where the blaze occurred.
One of the shuttered wells is only 100 feet from their property.
He was diagnosed just months after the wells were closed.
Although Perkasie’s water showed only low levels of PFOS and PFOA when last tested in 2016, which is not uncommon, Jameson spent $1,600 on a whole-house carbon filtration system to give her “peace of mind” that their water is chemical-free.
“It could be (linked) one day,” she said.
State records also show the DEP requested various documents from Bergey’s, including a full accounting of any hazardous substances stored at the site, any information the company has regarding the 1986 fire, and a sheet showing its assets and liabilities.
The company also had “no documentation concerning the use of (firefighting foam) by the U.S. Navy or others to respond to fires on the property.” David Budnick, chief financial officer at Bergey’s, said the same in response to questions from this news organization.