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Pennsylvania American Water Provides Tour of Frackville Treatment Upgrades

SCRANTON, Pa. (November 13, 2024) – Pennsylvania American Water recently welcomed local officials to its Frackville water treatment facility for a tour spotlighting the company’s $10 million investment in plant upgrades designed to remove per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), iron and manganese. Completed in late 2023, the plant proactively reduces PFAS levels in the water in anticipation of the final drinking water regulation set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on April 10, 2024. The facility serves approximately 2,500 customers in the borough of Frackville and portions of Butler, New Castle, Mahanoy and West Mahanoy townships.

Following brief remarks from the Pennsylvania American Water operations team, officials from Frackville Borough, along with representatives from local legislative offices, toured the treatment facility to learn about the upgrades and improvements to water quality, which aim to reduce PFAS levels to a level that is less than the new EPA standard.

“Pennsylvania American Water began voluntarily sampling for PFAS in 2017,” stated Joseph Woodward, senior director of operations, Pennsylvania American Water. “Our results indicated that PFAS levels were below the EPA’s previous Health Advisory Level. Our planning for this facility began in 2019, coordinating with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.”

The company also proactively took two of the four groundwater wells that supply the source of water for the Frackville system out of service as a precautionary measure. These two wells had higher levels of PFAS at the time of testing and remain on reserve status only.

“Pennsylvania American Water's $10 million investment in the Frackville Water Treatment Plant marks a significant advancement for our community,” said Pennsylvania State Representative Tim Twardzik. “Providing clean, safe and reliable water to 2,500 local customers is essential, and I commend the company for its dedication to delivering high-quality service.”

Upgrades to the treatment facility included:

  • Treatment for iron, manganese and PFAS removal
  • Conversion from gaseous chlorine to liquid chlorine disinfection
  • Construction of a new treatment, chemical and electrical building
  • Replacement of the facility’s backup generator

 

Prior to completion of the treatment plant upgrades, the water being produced by the Frackville Water Treatment Plant had PFOA/PFOS levels lower than the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s regulatory limits of 18 ppt for PFOS and 14 ppt for PFOA. In Pennsylvania American Water’s2023 Frackville system Water Quality Report, the average result for PFOA was non-detectable, and the average result for PFOS was 13.2 ppt. All water quality reports can be found on the pennsylvaniaamwater.com under the Water Quality tab. Additional information about PFAS can be found here.

About American Water
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water’s 6,500 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.


For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.

About Pennsylvania American Water

Pennsylvania American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest regulated water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and wastewater services to approximately 2.3 million people.

Pennsylvania American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest regulated water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and wastewater services to approximately 2.3 million people.


Media Contacts

Susan Turcmanovich

External Affairs Manager, Northeast PA

570.351.0120

susan.turcmanovich@amwater.com