Buckingham receives funds to remove PFAS from water – Bucks Round-Up – February 5, 2026

Buckingham receives funds to remove PFAS from water

Buckingham Township has secured nearly $5 million in state funding to address PFAS contamination in its public water supply. The latest award includes a $2.435 million grant from PENNVEST to design and install a PFAS treatment and removal system for the township’s Furlong Water System which serves residents in central Buckingham. The system, interconnected with the Buckingham Village Water System since 2022, includes eight production wells, several storage tanks, and booster pump stations. Although prior testing showed PFAS levels below Pennsylvania DEP thresholds, township officials cited baseline results indicating the need to move forward with treatment at the F8 well site. The new system will not only remove PFAS but also reduce taste and odor compounds and other organic contaminants. The township previously received another PENNVEST grant and low-interest loan totaling more than $2.6 million for PFAS treatment at the Cold Spring Water System’s Hearthstone Facility. PFAS, often called “forever chemicals,” have been linked to cancer and other health risks and are a long-running concern in Bucks County, particularly near former military installations where widespread contamination led to the shutdown of dozens of wells impacting tens of thousands of residents.

County steps in to help in wake of funding gap at Bucks IU

Officials addressed concerns over a funding gap at the Bucks County Intermediate Unit that forced the suspension of certain therapy services for children under three with hearing and vision impairments. Speaking to the Bucks County Commissioners Wednesday morning, Behavioral and Developmental Programs Administrator Donna Duffy Bell Grimm said all affected families have been provided with alternative early intervention services. “They have accepted that path and just because a child may not receive the special instruction for vision services and hearing services through Bucks IU teachers does not mean that they are not getting early intervention services of equal quality.”  Duffy Bell Grimm also pointed to some confusion in the press and informally on social media, saying there was confirmation from the state concerning the issue. “The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) which oversees early intervention, did confirm with us that neither county-based dollars nor county general funds can be utilized to supplement the medical assistance rates on these services.” Duffy Grimm also noted that being “hyper focused” on the rate is not the broader issue. “There is a shortage of vision and hearing teachers across the state and that’s where I think our focus and efforts should be.” Duffy Bell Grimm also said the Bucks Intermediate Unit had to make a business decision about where they are putting limited resources. The Bucks County Commissioners say that Bucks County state lawmakers are trying to secure more funding for children who have vision and hearing challenges. Commissioner Vice Chair, Bob Harvie, credited the county department for its efforts. “I do want to note that our behavioral health development programs have been really working tirelessly for the past month to make sure that all those families have had their needs addressed.”

Doylestown Borough hires emergency services director for the first time

Scott Fleischer has become Doylestown Borough’s first emergency services director after long serving as the municipality’s fire marshal and emergency management coordinator. In his new role, he will oversee the borough’s fire department, ambulance services, and general emergency management as well as code enforcement. As special events in Doylestown Borough have become more frequent, Borough Manager John Davis said an expanded role for its chief emergency administrator must also broaden.

Northampton supervisors greenlight Russell Gardens redevelopment

The Northampton Township Board of Supervisors has confirmed the preliminary final plan for new use of the land formerly occupied by the Russell Gardens Center, a 14.5-acre agricultural retail site, in Churchville. A residential community encompassing eighteen single-family homes will take the center’s place. Despite the site’s former retail use, it has been zoned for residences. After members of the public registered traffic and density concerns with the supervisors at a public meeting, engineering consultant Dean Gennady of Dynamic Engineering sought to assuage those worries. He mentioned that the layout of the future community limits any further subdivision and that the site design conforms to safety standards.

Bensalem Police accuse man of trying to sell guns and drugs

Bensalem Township Police announced the arrest of a 68-year-old township man accused of illegally selling firearms and methamphetamine. Investigators say Charles Bowers, who is prohibited from possessing guns due to prior felony convictions, sold multiple firearms and drugs to an undercover officer. He was later taken into custody during a traffic stop and remains jailed at the Bucks County Correctional Facility on ten percent of $750,000 bail as the investigation continues.

Joe LeCompte hosts LeCompte in the Morning on WBCB 1490. Bradley Vasoli is the senior editor of The Independence.