PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Water Department, in an update regarding a chemical spill in Bucks County, assures the public the tap water is safe to drink and use until Monday, March 27 at 11:59 p.m.
Water Dept. officials stated there was enough water in the Baxter Treatment Plant, which services the bulk of Philadelphia, that was free of any contamination and people should feel confident to use the tap water.Officials added there was no need for the public to buy bottled water, because of the event.The spill happened late Friday night, upstream of the Baxter Treatment Plant, which is downstream from where the spill occurred in Otter Creek.
The plant provides drinking water for 975,000 Philadelphia customers.Bucks County health officials said Sunday that the leak late Friday evening at the Trinseo Altuglas chemical facility in Bristol Township spilled between 8,100 and 12,000 gallons of a water-based latex finishing solution into the river.
Officials said it is non-toxic to humans and no known adverse health effects have been reported in the county.Authorities assured they had been in touch with the School District of Philadelphia and no classes would be delayed and no schools would close as a result of the water situation.