Hecht, 55, is one of the more than 200 homeowners straddling the Bucks-Montgomery county line who have received bad news about their private water wells in recent years.
The letter is standard fare for private wells owners such as Hecht, whose wells are contaminated above a 70 part per trillion (ppt) limit for the chemicals recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Hecht’s had 101 ppt.
The letter also contained the standard assurance: Hecht would receive free bottled water for cooking and drinking until “a more permanent remedy is implemented within approximately 12 months.” The Navy has made good on such pledges for many area residents already, footing the cost to connect properties with contaminated private wells into the nearest public water system.
Steven Vernik, a neighbor on Hart Lane, said he got the same letter but has since heard nothing.
“Yes, I have water!
But where’s the Navy?
The Navy didn’t point to any other suspected sources in its email, but Tim Hagey, manager of the Warminster Municipal Authority, said the military is looking at the nearby Hartsville Fire Company station.
“I sent them a letter from the long time president… indicating that they never used foam at the Fire House.” In an email, Hartsville president Ed Pfeiffer confirmed that position.
“Hartsville firefighters were trained in foam practices at (NAWC Warminster),” Pfeiffer said, but added “Foam was never used at the Hartsville Fire Station.” In the spring, the Navy released a proposed sampling plan for off-base locations.