HSCA Program Delivers Safe Drinking Water to Lancaster County Community

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Shapiro Administration Highlights Cleanup Project that Delivered Safe Drinking Water in Lancaster County

A Lancaster County cleanup project delivered safe drinking water through HSCA, as Governor Shapiro’s 2026–27 budget proposal calls for funding to keep projects moving forward

April 10, 2026
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Intercourse, PA – Today, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Jessica Shirley visited a Lancaster County community that now has access to clean drinking water thanks to the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act (HSCA) Program, highlighting both the success of the project and the need for sustained funding to continue similar efforts across Pennsylvania.

“People here are now enjoying clean, pollution-free drinking water because of HSCA, but future projects could be in jeopardy due to the lack of consistent, long-term funding,” said Secretary Shirley. “Governor Shapiro supports and believes in HSCA, and his budget proposal provides temporary support, but the program still needs a sustainable funding solution. Without one, successful projects like this will not be possible.”

Homes and businesses in the Intercourse Village area of Leacock Township had relied on private wells for drinking water. More than 20 years ago, DEP found that the groundwater supplying those wells was contaminated with trichloroethylene (TCE). When no responsible party could be identified, a feasibility study recommended constructing a public water system to serve the area.

Through HSCA, more than $22 million was invested in the engineering and construction of a new public water system, which became fully operational in 2020 and now provides safe drinking water to the community.

Governor Shapiro has proposed a one-time $20 million transfer in the 2026–27 budget proposal to support HSCA, which will allow for state-led site investigations and remediation projects. The HSCA program conducts initial investigations into land and water pollution to identify responsible parties. When none can be found, HSCA funding supports cleanup solutions such as land remediation and water treatment. The program also drives economic development by supporting redevelopment through Pennsylvania’s Act 2 program, which has approved 13,688 cleanups across all 67 counties since 1995.

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