Drought watch lifted

9/2/11 Drought watch lifted for 40 PA counties, including Bucks.

8/5/11 DEP Declares Drought Watches and Warnings: Bucks County is among 40 counties under a drought watch.

From PlumsteadTownship.org:
"8/30/11 - Drought Watch Continues...Even with the recent heavy rainfall in our area we are advised by the PaDEP that the entire portion of southeastern Pennsylvania still remains under a 'drought watch.' Residents are being asked to voluntarily reduce their consumption by 5%."

"8/4/11 - As of Thursday, August 4, the water restrictions on Cabin Run and Landis Greene developments are modified to now allow for hand watering of gardens and flower beds. Lawn watering, car washing and all other non-essential uses remain prohibited. Voluntary water restrictions will remain in place for all of the other Township public water systems."

"7/19/11 - Plumstead Township is placing mandatory drought restrictions on water usage for all residents in the Cabin Run and Landis Greene developments. The restrictions prohibit the use of all non-essential water use including lawn and garden watering, car washing and the filling of pools until further notice. A drought watch is in place for all other public water systems in the Township. We are asking for the voluntary reduction in the use of water in those systems."

"DEP: Well cleanups progressing"

By Freda R. Savana, Intelligencer, December 15, 2010:

Officials from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection took Plumstead residents through a detailed presentation Tuesday on its efforts to address well contamination that, authorities say, was the result of fighting an industrial fire on Stump Road in June.

"Polluted ponds drained at site of fire"

By Christopher Ruvo, Intelligencer, August 29, 2010:

The effort to determine the scope of water pollution in Plumstead continued last week as a contractor for the state began draining two contaminated ponds located near the site of a June 29 fire that destroyed an industrial building.

"Tests of wells were wrong on benzene"

By Christopher Ruvo, Intelligencer, August 20, 2010:

The state DEP said the tests mistakenly showed increased the levels of the chemical. A second round of testing showed acceptable levels in the water.

"Tankers pump in water"

By Christopher Ruvo, Intelligencer, August 15, 2010:

For more than a month, . . . [a Plumstead resident] was unable to take a shower at his home on Ann Drive in Plumstead after water traveled from the site of a fire and polluted his private well.

But the 34-year-old finally got to rinse off at home last week after tanker trucks were brought in to pump water into his house and other residences that have contaminated wells.

"Plumstead copes with fire's environmental aftermath"

"Water samples show contamination," by Rebecca Fink, Bucks County Herald, August 12, 2010, A1.

"Residents want answers on wells"

By Christopher Ruvo, Intelligencer, August 11, 2010:

More than 100 people packed the Plumstead Municipal Building on Tuesday night looking for answers about well water contamination that authorities say is the result of runoff from a June 29 fire that destroyed an industrial building at 5189 Stump Road.

"Water contamination linked to fire"

By Christopher Ruvo, Intelligencer, August 5, 2010:

DEP plans to test at least 30 wells near where an industrial building caught fire. Fighting the fire apparently caused water runoff that carried chemicals into homeowners' wells.

"Resident: High benzene levels in pond at fire site"

By Amanda Cregan, Intelligencer, August 4, 2010:

Worried that their well water might have been tainted by toxins following a Plumstead industrial building fire, residents went before township officials seeking answers Tuesday night.

Instead, Plumstead supervisors were the ones getting information.

. . . [A resident] of Stump Road, and his attorney came armed with a report Tuesday from the state's Department of Environmental Protection that revealed high benzene levels were discovered in the pond at the warehouse site, located on the 5000 block of Stump Road.

"Well testing continues"

By Christopher Ruvo, Intelligencer, August 1, 2010:

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has sampled well water that served a Plumstead industrial building ruined by fire as part of a widening investigation into water contamination in the township.

Samples were also taken from nearby ponds during the Friday visit from DEP, which will test the water in its Harrisburg laboratories, said spokeswoman Deborah Fries.

At least four Plumstead homes have tainted water in their private wells and additional residents are reporting possible contamination.

"Tainted water probe widens in Plumstead"

By Christopher Ruvo, Intelligencer, July 30, 2010:

At least four homes have wells that are contaminated, and officials are concerned more wells might have been affected.

"Tests detect benzene in well"

By Christopher Ruvo, Intelligencer, July 29, 2010:

Residents complained their drinking water had been fouled by runoff from a nearby industrial fire.

"Post-fire water woes"

By Christopher Ruvo, Intelligencer, July 28, 2010:

Residents near last month's fire in Plumstead said their water has become too tainted to drink or bathe in.

"Fish kill prompts testing of ponds"

By Christopher Ruvo, Intelligencer, July 1, 2010:

. . . As firefighters continued battling flames the day after a major blaze destroyed an industrial building in Plumstead, environmental officials tested for chemicals in two ponds at the facility where fish were killed.

Plumstead Supervisor Candidates' Forum Oct. 13

The League of Women Voters of Bucks County is sponsoring a forum for candidates seeking election to the Board of Supervisors, to be held in the Plumstead Township Building on Tuesday, October 13, 7:30-9 p.m. There are four candidates for two open seats: Jason Eskolsky (D), Daniel Hilferty (R), Helen Mitchell (D), and Wayne Stork (R). The term of office is six years. Housley Carr and Vince Formica are not seeking reelection.

Residents are invited to attend and learn more about the candidates. The League of Women Voters of Bucks County is "a non-partisan organization that encourages informed and active participation in government." The forum will begin with several questions directed to the candidates by the League, which will also collect written questions from the public. Note: Questions must be general--addressed to all of the candidates; each will respond in turn.

The candidates' websites are http://www.plumsteadfirst.com/ and http://www.helenandjasonforplumstead.org/.

Plumstead: "Voters to decide on park"

By Freda R. Savana, PhillyBurbs.com, September 23, 2009: "The November ballot will have a question about borrowing $4.5 million for a multi-use park. In May, another question will ask about $10 million for open space." Bond referendum Q&A.

"Seeking input on plans for cell towers"

PhillyBurbs.com: "Seeking input on plans for cell towers," by Freda Savana, Intelligencer, July 27, 2009:

Cell phone companies hoping to build towers or add antennas to existing ones are reaching out to customers in a new way.

Legal ads are popping up in newspapers asking residents to comment on the potential impact of the towers on their properties.

T-Mobile has taken out notices for proposed projects in Plumstead and Richlandtown explaining their plans, detailing the height and location of the tower and offering homeowners an opportunity to voice any concerns they might have. . . .

Water and sewer grants awarded

PhillyBurbs.com: "Region rakes in water, sewer grants," by Rich Pietras, Intelligencer, July 16, 2009:

Bucks and Montgomery counties were big winners this week as the state announced that $500 million is being distributed for water and sewer projects.

The funding, part of the "H2O PA" program, was allocated through the Commonwealth Financing Authority. The authority received 728 applications from across the state totaling $2.6 billion in requests and approved $500 million for projects on Tuesday. . . .

H2O PA was created in 2008 to fund water and sewer projects, as well as storm water projects, flood control projects and dam repairs.

The funding is provided through an $800 million bond financed by 5 percent of gaming revenue deposited in the Pennsylvania Gaming and Economic Development and Tourism Fund. The bond issue is expected to be floated soon and funds could be made available by the fall.

To be eligible for funding, a project must be owned by a municipality or authority and must include local matching funds.

The Commonwealth Financing Authority evaluates applications, with the Department of Environmental Protection and the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority providing technical review and assistance.

The Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority is receiving $128,666 for the Plumstead surge tank.