Aqua Pennsylvania Secures $74.3 Million in PENNVEST Funding to Advance PFAS Treatment Projects
Aqua Pennsylvania has secured $74.3 million in financial support from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) to accelerate several drinking water improvement projects aimed at removing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from public water supplies. The funding package, consisting of principal forgiveness loans and low-interest financing, will help the utility expand treatment infrastructure while reducing the financial burden on customers.
The newly approved funding will support multiple PFAS mitigation initiatives, including a major treatment project at the Neshaminy Water Treatment Plant in Bucks County and additional treatment installations at community well sites in Chester and Luzerne counties. The investment represents another major step in Aqua Pennsylvania’s long-term strategy to strengthen water quality, maintain regulatory compliance, and secure alternative funding sources for critical infrastructure projects.
Continued Success in Securing Infrastructure Funding
The latest PENNVEST award highlights Aqua Pennsylvania’s continued success in obtaining external financing to modernize its water and wastewater systems. Since 2021, the company has received approximately $270.2 million in PENNVEST funding for infrastructure improvements across Pennsylvania. More than $260 million of that total has been secured since 2024 alone, demonstrating a significant increase in support for water quality and system resilience initiatives.
Aqua Pennsylvania officials emphasized that obtaining favorable financing remains a key component of the company’s efforts to deliver reliable and affordable water services. By utilizing low-interest loans and principal forgiveness programs, the utility can undertake large-scale capital projects while limiting the impact on customer rates.
Marc Lucca, President of Aqua Pennsylvania, noted that the company remains committed to providing high-quality drinking water and wastewater services throughout the Commonwealth. He also highlighted the organization’s proactive efforts to seek alternative funding opportunities that reduce overall project costs for customers.
According to company leadership, PENNVEST’s continued support recognizes both the importance of these infrastructure investments and Aqua Pennsylvania’s role in protecting public health through enhanced water treatment technologies.
Major PFAS Treatment Investment at Neshaminy Water Treatment Plant
The largest portion of the newly announced funding—nearly $61 million—will be directed toward the construction of a comprehensive PFAS treatment system at the Neshaminy Water Treatment Plant.
The facility serves approximately 62,000 customers across Bucks and Montgomery counties, making it one of Aqua Pennsylvania’s key drinking water assets. The new treatment infrastructure will significantly enhance the plant’s ability to remove PFAS compounds and ensure long-term compliance with evolving federal regulations.
The project will involve the installation of Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) treatment units capable of processing up to 15 million gallons of drinking water per day. GAC technology has become one of the most widely adopted methods for removing PFAS contaminants due to its proven effectiveness in capturing these persistent compounds from water supplies.
PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals,” are a group of synthetic substances that have been widely used in industrial processes and consumer products for decades. Because they break down very slowly in the environment, PFAS can accumulate in soil, groundwater, and drinking water sources over time.
Growing scientific and regulatory attention surrounding PFAS contamination has prompted utilities nationwide to invest heavily in advanced treatment systems. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established increasingly stringent drinking water standards, requiring utilities to implement additional treatment technologies to maintain compliance.
Construction of the PFAS treatment facilities at the Neshaminy plant is expected to continue over the next several years, with completion anticipated by late summer 2028.
Once operational, the upgraded system will significantly enhance water quality protection for tens of thousands of residents in southeastern Pennsylvania while ensuring that the facility remains compliant with future regulatory requirements.
Additional PFAS Projects at Community Well Sites
In addition to the Neshaminy project, Aqua Pennsylvania secured nearly $13.5 million in PENNVEST funding to support PFAS treatment installations at several community well sites located in Chester and Luzerne counties.
These projects are expected to improve drinking water quality for approximately 5,700 customers by adding advanced treatment capabilities at key groundwater supply sources.
Chester County Projects
Two projects in Chester County will receive funding:
- Embreeville Well, serving customers in West Bradford, Caln, and East Brandywine townships.
- Hollow Run Well, serving communities in West Whiteland and West Goshen townships.
These installations will incorporate PFAS treatment systems designed to remove contaminants and maintain compliance with evolving federal drinking water standards.
Chester County has been among several regions in Pennsylvania where utilities have increased monitoring and treatment activities due to heightened awareness of PFAS contamination concerns.
Luzerne County Project
Funding will also support treatment improvements at Oak Hill Well 3 in Lehman Township, Luzerne County.
The project will introduce advanced PFAS treatment technologies to further enhance water quality for local residents and strengthen long-term system reliability.
Construction activities for all three well-site projects are expected to be completed by the fall of 2027.
Strengthening Compliance and Public Health Protection
Aqua Pennsylvania emphasized that it already meets all current PFAS drinking water requirements established by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP). The company has implemented extensive monitoring and treatment measures in recent years to ensure compliance with state regulations and safeguard public health.
However, additional investments are necessary to meet newer and more stringent federal standards introduced by the EPA.
As federal regulations continue to evolve, water utilities across the United States are facing significant capital requirements to upgrade treatment facilities and install advanced contaminant removal systems. Access to low-cost financing has therefore become increasingly important in enabling utilities to implement these projects efficiently.
The PENNVEST funding will allow Aqua Pennsylvania to accelerate these improvements while minimizing financial impacts on customers. The utility views the investments as a critical component of its broader infrastructure modernization strategy, which focuses on water quality, system resilience, regulatory compliance, and long-term sustainability.
Long-Term Commitment to Infrastructure Modernization
The latest funding awards underscore Aqua Pennsylvania’s ongoing commitment to investing in critical infrastructure across the Commonwealth. The company continues to prioritize projects that improve water quality, replace aging assets, and address emerging environmental challenges.
By securing more than $270 million in PENNVEST support since 2021, Aqua Pennsylvania has positioned itself as one of the leading recipients of state infrastructure financing for water and wastewater improvements.
The company believes that partnerships with organizations such as PENNVEST are essential to maintaining safe and affordable water services while addressing increasingly complex regulatory requirements.
As construction progresses on the Neshaminy treatment system and additional well-site projects, thousands of Pennsylvania residents are expected to benefit from enhanced drinking water protection and improved long-term system reliability.
The new PFAS treatment initiatives further demonstrate Aqua Pennsylvania’s proactive approach to addressing emerging contaminants and ensuring that communities throughout the state continue to receive high-quality, safe, and dependable drinking water services for years to come.
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