Northampton officials press Navy on PFAS cleanup standards – Bucks Round-Up – August 29, 2025
Northampton officials press Navy on PFAS cleanup standards
Northampton Township supervisors are raising fresh concerns over how the U.S. Navy is handling the next phase of public water hookups in neighborhoods impacted by PFAS contamination. The contamination stems from firefighting foam used decades ago at the former Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in Horsham, which polluted private wells in surrounding communities. The Navy is now in phase three of extending public water to affected homes — but township leaders say too many residents are being left in limbo. Board Chair Adam Selisker, who attended a recent Navy public meeting, said the threshold the military is using — twelve parts per trillion (ppt) — doesn’t account for homes testing just below that line. “I’ve talked with residents whose wells come back at 11.6, 11.9. I did get the Navy to commit to retesting those wells,” Selisker said. He also pressed the Navy to expand service to additional neighborhoods, including Holly Knoll Drive, Magnolia Drive, and Wisteria Drive. The Navy confirmed those streets will be added to the phase three water agreement. Vice Chair Bob Salzer questioned the science behind the Navy’s standard, calling the twelve ppt limit arbitrary. “I don’t think we’ve ever seen data to demonstrate that it means anything other than they’ve pulled that number out of you-know-what,” Salzer remarked. Federal guidance appears to support the supervisors’ concerns. The Environmental Protection Agency has set its own health advisory at four ppt — three times stricter than the Navy’s standard. But the military is only required to provide hookups when tests exceed twelve ppt, Selisker noted. Residents can decline a connection now and request one later, though supervisors warned that the process could take years if funding has to be reapproved.
AAA Mid Atlantic offers recommendations for Labor Day travel
Labor Day travelers are capping off a record summer of travel with a busy holiday weekend, anticipating both highway and airport crowds, with beaches as a popular destination. While many locals will have shorter trips due to returning school schedules, overall travel volumes are expected to remain strong. AAA reports that travel costs are down for this Labor Day compared to last year, with lower gas prices making road trips more affordable. AAA Mid Atlantic spokesperson Jana Tidwell offers recommendations for a smooth and safe travel experience. “It’s obviously important to have a full tank of gas,” she said. “Although the Labor Day weekend is the least busy of the three summer holidays, there could be congestion, depending on the time you leave for your holiday destination. The best times to leave are either very early in the morning or late in the evening.” Tidwell also calls on drivers to always have an emergency kit prepared, consisting of jumper cables along with water and snacks.
Kia and Hyundai thefts on the rise again across county and state
The Bucks County District Attorney’s office urges drivers to take extra precautions as thefts of certain Kia and Hyundai models are once again spiking. The problem, which first gained traction as part of a TikTok challenge, has persisted due to a key security shortfall in some models. The D.A.’s office recommends that local drivers can find more details, including information on scheduling the free security fix, through area Kia and Hyundai dealerships. At issue is the absence of an engine immobilizer, an electronic safeguard that prevents a vehicle from starting without the proper key or fob. Many Kia and Hyundai models manufactured before 2023 are not equipped with the feature, making them far easier to hot-wire. Law enforcement officials report that the vulnerability continues to drive car theft both statewide and nationwide. In response, the automakers released a free software patch in 2023 aimed at closing the loophole. However, many vehicles still have not been updated, leaving them exposed to opportunistic thieves.
Joe LeCompte hosts LeCompte in the Morning on WBCB.
