Bucks County Excluded From 2023 Chemical Spill Settlement

May 31, 2024

Booms in the Otter Creek last March in the area of the spill. Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com

A federal judge has approved a $2.7 million class-action settlement for residents and business owners in Philadelphia affected by a March 2023 chemical spill into Otter Creek and the Delaware River in Bristol Township. However, those in Bucks County will not be eligible for any of the funds.

The settlement stipulates that individuals and businesses within certain zip codes served by the Philadelphia Water Department’s Baxter Water Treatment Plant, who may have been impacted by the spill, are eligible for a $25 gift card.

The settlement comes after a lawsuit was filed alleging economic losses for Philadelphians due to additional expenses incurred, such as purchasing bottled water and incurring transportation costs. Affected businesses reported losses due to interruptions.

The chemical spill originated from the Trinseo Altuglas facility that is on the property owned by Dow Chemical off Veterans Highway in Bristol Township. Reports indicated that between 8,100 and 12,000 gallons of a latex-related chemical were discharged into the Otter Creek, subsequently flowing into the Delaware River.

The spill that made its way into the creek and river was caused by a burst pipe.

In response to the spill, both federal and local authorities were mobilized for cleanup efforts.

Although the chemicals reached the Delaware River, prompting concerns about water safety, subsequent tests confirmed that the drinking water in both Bucks County and Philadelphia remained uncontaminated.

The Delaware River under the Burlington-Bristol Bridge after the spill.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com

The spill led to a surge in bottled water sales as city officials in Philadelphia issued warnings about the spill.

Aqua Pennsylvania, which manages a water treatment plant upstream from the spill site, temporarily shut down its intakes as a precaution but resumed operations after confirming the spill was not advancing upstream.

The Baxter Water Treatment Plant, located several miles downstream, closed its intake vents until it was clear there was no serious contamination.

Residents and businesses eligible for the settlement can obtain more information and file a claim by visiting PhillyWaterSettlement.com. The deadline for submitting claims is August 16.