An executive with the water company that manages the wells at three Boyertown Area School District schools presented an option to deal with an issue at one of them. Last week, Jeremy Crum, the vice president of Suburban Water Technology, Inc, proposed the installation of a water filtration system at Gilbertsville Elementary, located at 36 Congo Road.Crum estimated the cost of implementing an anion resin water purification system at the school at approximately $30,000. Crum told the school board on Jan. 13 that his company discovered "forever" chemicals in the well at the school in 2024.

            Crum said quarterly samples detected perfluorooctanoic acid (PFAS) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) in the well during 2024 and 2025. Crum identified one detection of PFOA above, and seven detections below, the established maximum contaminant levels set by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. He added that the company also discovered one detection of PFOS below the MCL and seven non-detects.

            Despite the one PFAS detection above the established level, the running annual average (RAA) at the school, 8.4 nanograms per liter, falls below the permitted amount of 14 ng/l.

            Crum's presentation identifies the RAA of PFOS as non-detectible. Crum told the members that the "district is in 100 percent compliance" with DEP.

            "No further action is necessary," he told the board, adding that his firm will continue to test the well.

             Crum explained that his firm, located at 1697 Swamp Pike in Douglas Township, could complete the design process and submit an application to the DEP in three to four weeks. He said the state agency has 180 days to approve it.

            During his presentation, the engineer identified two approved treatment techniques, including a carbon filtration system. Crum recommended an anion system that removes negative ions.

            The system could be installed within months, according to the engineer. He said the passive system utilizes six canisters to treat 20 gallons of water per minute.

            "It's a simple technique," said Crum, who explained that the resin canisters would likely be replaced over a period of months, not years, at a cost of $4,000 as required.

            Responding to a board question, Crum described the water at the school as safe. He declined to offer his personal opinion, identifying its compliance with Commonwealth regulations as evidence to support his statement.

            Christine M. Neiman, a board member who represents a Berks County region, asked Crum for a more specific cost breakdown on the anion resin water purification system She said hooking up to a public water system would probably be more cost-effective.

            Superintendent Scott Davidheiser told the board he would contact Aqua Pennsylvania – a private company that provides water and wastewater in 33 counties – to get prices. Davidheiser said he hoped to move quickly on the issue.

            "We take this situation very seriously," the superintendent said.

            The district will continue to monitor the wells at New Hanover and Earl elementaries, promised Davidheiser.

            Sampling at all three schools includes testing for heavy metals, including lead and copper, as well as arsenic, nitrates and chloroform, according to Crum.