Williamsport, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will host a hearing on Monday May 11, 2026, to accept testimony from the public regarding DEP’s ongoing prompt interim response in the North Centre Township PFAS Investigation in Columbia County. Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been detected in public drinking water supplies and private water supply wells at levels above the federal drinking water standards in multiple municipalities in Columbia County.
DEP’s ongoing investigation seeks to identify the extent of contamination, potential sources of the contamination, and any private wells in the study area that have been impacted. DEP has proposed a prompt interim response through the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act (HSCA) program to address the groundwater contamination. DEP is currently providing bottled water and in-home water treatment systems to those affected as the prompt interim response.
An initial public comment period and public hearing were held in 2025. Because of the significant expansion in the area of investigation, DEP has elected to open the Administrative Record for comment again. This will include a second written public comment period and second public hearing.
The public hearing will take place on Monday, May 11, 2026, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at the Central Columbia High School Auditorium, 4777 Old Berwick Rd, Bloomsburg, PA 17815. Individuals wishing to testify at the hearing are asked to register in advance by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, May 8 by e-mail at RA-EPNCECCOMMENTS@pa.gov or by phone at 570-327-3418. Onsite registration to speak will also be accepted if time allows. The hearing is open to the public, and registration is not required for those simply wishing to attend.
Prior to the hearing, an open house will be held beginning at 5:00 PM. During the open house, representatives from DEP, the Pennsylvania Departments of Health and Agriculture, Penn State Extension, and Geisinger Research Institute will be available to provide information and speak with residents. A representative from DEP’s Environmental Cleanup and Brownfields Program will also provide a short presentation about the ongoing investigation prior to the start of the hearing.
Oral testimony at the hearing is limited to three minutes per person and will be transcribed by a stenographer. Written testimony of any length will also be accepted until the public comment period closes on July 10, 2026. Written testimony should be directed to Cheryl Sinclair at RA-EPNCECCOMMENTS@pa.gov or by mail to DEP at 208 W. 3rd Street, Suite 101, Williamsport, PA 17701.
DEP will consider all comments equally, whether delivered orally during the hearing or submitted in writing by the deadline. DEP will respond to all comments in a comment and response document following the close of the public comment period.
The administrative record and more information about the investigation is available at www.dep.pa.gov/northcentre. The page is also accessible by visiting the DEP Northcentral Region web page at www.dep.pa.gov/NCRO, scrolling to “Northcentral Community Information,” then selecting “North Centre Township HSCA Investigation.”
Persons with a disability who wish to testify and require an auxiliary aid, service, or other accommodation should contact Megan Lehman at meglehman@pa.gov or 570-327-3659 to discuss how DEP can meet their needs. Dial 711 to access Pennsylvania Relay services.
DEP’s North Centre Township PFAS investigation and prompt interim response actions to assist impacted residents have been made possible through the HSCA Fund. Governor Shapiro has proposed a one-time $20 million transfer in the 2026–27 budget proposal to support HSCA, which will allow for state-led site investigations and remediation projects to continue. The HSCA program conducts initial investigations into land and water pollution to identify responsible parties. When none can be found, HSCA funding supports cleanup solutions such as land remediation and water treatment.
Without long-term HSCA funding, state-led site investigations and remediation projects will be delayed or stopped. The program also drives economic development by supporting redevelopment through Pennsylvania’s Act 2 program, which has approved 13,688 cleanups across all 67 counties since 1995.
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