DEP: Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act Brings Clean Drinking Water To Community In Lancaster County Contaminated By Trichloroethylene (TCE); Future Cleanup Funding In Doubt

On April 10, Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Jessica Shirley visited a Lancaster County community that now has access to clean drinking water thanks to the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act Program.

The visit highlighted both the success of the project and the need for sustained funding to continue similar efforts across Pennsylvania.

“People here are now enjoying clean, pollution-free drinking water because of HSCA, but future projects could be in jeopardy due to the lack of consistent, long-term funding,” said Secretary Shirley. “Governor Shapiro supports and believes in HSCA, and his budget proposal provides temporary support, but the program still needs a sustainable funding solution. Without one, successful projects like this will not be possible.”

Homes and businesses in the Intercourse Village area of Leacock Township had relied on private wells for drinking water. 

More than 20 years ago, DEP found that the groundwater supplying those wells was contaminated with trichloroethylene (TCE). 

When no responsible party could be identified, a feasibility study recommended constructing a public water system to serve the area.

Through HSCA, more than $22 million was invested in the engineering and construction of a new public water system, which became fully operational in 2020 and now provides safe drinking water to the community.

Click Here for a factsheet on the Intercourse TCE Site.

Future Funding In Doubt

Governor Shapiro has proposed a one-time $20 million transfer in the 2026–27 budget proposal(opens in a new tab) to support HSCA, which will allow for state-led site investigations and remediation projects. 

The HSCA program conducts initial investigations into land and water pollution to identify responsible parties. 

When none can be found, HSCA funding supports cleanup solutions such as land remediation and water treatment. 

The program also drives economic development by supporting redevelopment through Pennsylvania’s Act 2 program, which has approved 13,688 cleanups across all 67 counties since 1995.

Visit DEP’s Hazardous Sites Cleanup Program webpage to learn more about this program.

Click Here for DEP’s announcement.

For more information on environmental programs in Pennsylvania, visit DEP’s website.  Submit Environmental Complaints; Click Here to sign up for DEP’s newsletter; sign up for DEP’s eNotice; Like DEP on Facebook, Follow DEP on Twitter and visit DEP’s YouTube Channel.

Related Article This Week:

-- DEP To Hold May 11 Hearing On North Centre Twp. PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ Hazardous Site Response In 12 Municipalities In Columbia County Involving Contaminated Sewage Sludge  [PaEN] 

-- DEP: Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act Brings Clean Drinking Water To Community In Lancaster County Contaminated By Trichloroethylene (TCE); Future Cleanup Funding In Doubt  [PaEN]  

-- DCED Awards $125,625 Grant To Bucks County Redevelopment Authority To Make A Site Safe For New Residential Development In Sellersville Borough  [PaEN]    

[Posted: April 11, 2026]  PA Environment Digest