SPS has collected samples from nearby Tookany Creek and Tacony Creek, as well as from permitted outfalls. Because the constituents being tested for were consistently not detected or were detected well below all applicable standards, SPS transitioned to only sampling permitted outflows during rain events and sampling surface water once per week, beginning on April 7, 2025. Information about the results of these activities is described on this page.
Has my tap water been affected by the fire?
Aqua Pennsylvania is the main water supplier in Jenkintown Borough and Abington and Cheltenham Townships. Aqua has confirmed that this water comes from a source several miles away from the fire scene and that it is safe to drink. You can find more information on Aqua’s website at https://www.aquawater.com/about-aqua/states-we-serve/aqua-pennsylvania.
What surface water sampling did SPS perform in the vicinity of the facility?
Until April 7, 2025, SPS sampled water at three locations in Tookany Creek and Tacony Creek, both upstream and downstream of the SPS facility. We also conducted surface water sampling at permitted outfalls. Surface water sampling was conducted in accordance with a sampling plan that was submitted to PADEP, USEPA, and PWD.
What are you currently sampling for?
Outfalls are being sampled during rain events for the following parameters:
- Toluene
- Methyl ethyl ketone
- Trivalent Chromium
- Total Cyanide
- Free Cyanide
- Oil & Grease
- Total Suspended Solids
- Nitrate/Nitrite as Nitrogen
- Chemical Oxygen Demand
- Total Aluminum
- Total Chromium
- Dissolved Chromium
- Total Copper
- Total Iron
- Total Lead
- Total Nickel
- Dissolved Nickel
- Total Zinc
- pH
- Hardness
Until April 7, 2025, surface water samples collected in Tookany Creek and Tacony Creek were analyzed for the following parameters:
- Trivalent Chromium
- Hexavalent Chromium
- Total Cyanide
- Free Cyanide
- Oil & Grease
- Total Chromium
- Total Nickel
- Dissolved Chromium
- Dissolved Nickel
- Hardness
- pH
Who evaluates the results of SPS’s surface water samples?
All water sampling data is being sent to and analyzed by labs that have been accredited by the PADEP. We provide copies of our surface water and outfall sampling results to PADEP, USEPA, and PWD.
I have read in the news that there have been elevated levels of cyanide detected in surface water near the facility. What does this mean?
Cyanide had been detected in surface water in Tookany Creek both upstream and downstream from the facility. The specific locations and results are contained in the reports that we have provided to PADEP, USEPA and PWD and that are available on this website.
Since March 17, 2025, surface water sampling results in Tookany Creek and Tacony Creek for cyanide have either been non-detect or below the lab’s reporting limit.
Where can I find SPS’s sampling results?
You can find our water sampling results here.
How can I understand the information contained in the surface water sampling reports?
The following definitions are helpful to interpret the information contained in the surface water sampling reports:
- Mg/L - milligrams per liter
- ND - non-detect
- “J” qualifier - a qualifier that indicates that the concentration of the constituent is an approximate value greater than or equal to the laboratory’s Method Detection Limit but less than the laboratory’s Reporting Limit. The Pennsylvania Code defines the Method Detection Limit as “the minimum concentration that can be measured and reported with 99% confidence that the value is above zero.” 25 Pa. Code § 16.102(3).
- RL - Reporting Limit