HORSHAM, Pa. — The Navy broke ground on a new groundwater extraction and treatment system designed to remove per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from groundwater at the former Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base (NASJRB) Willow Grove, Wednesday, September 9. This is a major step in the service's long-running cleanup effort in Horsham Township.
The ceremony drew leaders from the Navy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP), along with local officials, reflecting the three-way partnership behind the project.
"This is an important day — the start of construction on the Navy's first groundwater treatment system of this scale, greater than 400 gallons a minute, that's also designed specifically to remove PFAS from groundwater," said Andy Napoli, director of the Shore Industrial Base Office at Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command. "The PFAS-removal system we break ground on today was designed based on Navy-funded pilot studies. Once we get this system here in Horsham operating successfully, it will support the safe transfer and redevelopment of property at the former NASJRB Willow Grove."
Amy Van Blarcom-Lackey, EPA Region 3 administrator praised the milestone as a turning point for the site.
"At a site as large and complex as Willow Grove, sustained partnership has been essential, and this groundbreaking demonstrates real momentum toward reducing risk and restoring the site for future reuse," said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Amy Van Blarcom-Lackey. "The work being done here is a strong example of EPA's commitment to addressing PFAS at its source and supporting long-term solutions that protect people and the environment."
Patrick Paterson, PADEP Southeast Regional director, who represented PADEP Secretary Jessica Shirley, credited the Navy’s sustained effort in getting the project to this stage.
"This project is vital to the cleanup of PFAS at the base, and I commend the Navy for its work over the past dozen years to address it here and in the surrounding community," Paterson said. "The Navy adapted to evolving science and regulatory standards throughout, and today's groundbreaking reflects its commitment to public safety — made possible by the joint effort of the Navy, EPA and our own DEP." "
Elizabeth Barris, director of Navy’s Base Realignment and Closure Program Management Office, closed the ceremony by reflecting on the progress made since PFAS was first identified at the site and the sustained progress needed to support early transfer and redevelopment.
The new system will target two source areas of PFAS, a class of manmade chemicals once widely used in firefighting foam, in groundwater.
Officials expect the system to be operational in 2027. It will also support dewatering during future redevelopment.
The groundbreaking also advances plans to redevelop the 925-acre former base, which closed in 2011. Of the original 925 acres, 75 have been transferred to Horsham Township for reuse, with about 850 acres remaining; 118 of those are slated for transfer in fiscal year 2027 contingent upon regulatory approval. Local redevelopment plans call for a town center, retail and office space, a hotel, a school, housing and open space.
Township Manager Bill Walker and Horsham Land Redevelopment Authority Executive Director Michael Shinton attended the ceremony, along with members of the design team from EA Engineering, Science and Technology Inc.
| Date Taken: |
09.15.2026 |
| Date Posted: |
09.15.2026 10:29 |
| Story ID: |
574732 |
| Location: |
WASHINGTON NAVY YARD, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, US |
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