The investigation area for the PFAS contamination has been expanded to include 12 municipalities-- the Town of Bloomsburg, Beaver, Briar Creek, Catawissa, Fishing Creek, Locust, Main, Mount Pleasant, North Centre, Orange, Scott and South Centre townships in Columbia County.
Background
The initial investigation was centered in a half mile radius around water supply wells located at the Brookside Village Mobile Home Park in North Centre Township following detection of PFAS contamination above the federal drinking water standard.
Sampling of private water wells found additional PFAS contamination around that well.
The investigation then expanded to include the identification of areas where the Bloomsburg Municipal Authority land applied wastewater sewage sludge on farms in the 1980-1990s.
Sampling of soils on two farms in North Centre Township where sewage sludge was applied found PFAS contamination.
To date, additional water well sampling in the twelve separate municipalities found PFAS levels above drinking water MCLs in seven municipalities.
DEP’s work plan includes additional sampling of water wells and soils on and near farms where sewage sludge was applied.
Where water well sample results show PFAS contamination above the federal standard, DEP has arranged for delivery of bottled water and the installation of water treatment systems as its initial response.
May 11 Hearing
The May 11 hearing will be held at the Central Columbia High School Auditorium 4777 Old Berwick Road in Bloomsburg starting at 7:00 p.m.
An open house will be held starting at 5:00 p.m. with DEP staff that will include a brief presentation on the site.
Anyone interested in presenting comments during the formal public hearing must register via email at RA-EPNCECCOMMENTS@pa.gov, or by phone at 570-327-3418.
Public Comments
DEP will be accepting public comments on the Administrative Record for this expanded site and response until July 10.
Any person may submit written comments into the record during this time only by sending them electronically to RA-EPNCECCOMMENTS@pa.gov, by mail to Cheryl Sinclair at DEP's Northcentral Regional Office, 208 W. 3rd St, Suite 101, Williamsport, PA 17701, or by delivering them to this office in person.
The Administrative Record and other background information on this area of investigation is available at DEP’s North Centre Township HSCA Investigation webpage.
Questions should be directed to: RA-EPNCECCOMMENTS@pa.gov, or by phone at 570-327-3418.
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.
[Posted: April 10, 2026] PA Environment Digest
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