Contaminants in groundwater near former Navy bases in southeastern Pennsylvania
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By Pennsylvania Water Science Center
November 3, 2025
Packer Test Report
Results of 2018–19 Water-Quality and Hydraulic Characterization of Aquifer Intervals Using Packer Tests and Preliminary Geophysical-Log Correlations for Selected Boreholes at and Near the Former Naval Air Warfare Center Warminster, PA
Results of 2018–19 Water-Quality and Hydraulic Characterization of Aquifer Intervals Using Packer Tests and Preliminary Geophysical-Log Correlations for Selected Boreholes at and Near the Former Naval Air Warfare Center Warminster, PA
Borehole Logging Report
Geophysical and video logs of selected wells at and near the former Naval Air Warfare Center Warminster
Geophysical and video logs of selected wells at and near the former Naval Air Warfare Center Warminster
Exposed Sedimentary Rocks of Newark Basin
Flow and transport are in dipping sedimentary beds of alternating lithology and fractures within the sandstones, mudstones, and shales
Flow and transport are in dipping sedimentary beds of alternating lithology and fractures within the sandstones, mudstones, and shales
Regional Flow Paths from Possible PFAS Sources
USGS used data on well withdrawals, recharge rates, aquifer properties, groundwater levels, and stream base flow to simulate flow paths, 1999-2017
USGS used data on well withdrawals, recharge rates, aquifer properties, groundwater levels, and stream base flow to simulate flow paths, 1999-2017
Surface-Water Data in Study Area
Can be used with water quality data to evaluate the mass of contaminants transported by streams, and evaluate groundwater contributions
Can be used with water quality data to evaluate the mass of contaminants transported by streams, and evaluate groundwater contributions
USGS has investigated groundwater flow and contaminant transport in the vicinity of former Navy bases in Bucks and Montgomery Counties, southeastern Pennsylvania, in cooperation with the U.S. Navy. Additional cooperative support for these investigations has been provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Bucks and Montgomery counties, and local government agencies.
Highlights
- The latest report (see Publications) describes results of packer tests and other vertical profiling methods in 15 boreholes in fractured sedimentary bedrock in Northampton, Warminster, and Warwick Townships.
- Regional groundwater-flow paths from possible PFAS source locations at and near Willow Grove and Warminster bases terminate at streams and pumping wells with a few miles of the bases.
- Industrial chemical contaminants have migrated in fractured-rock aquifers in the vicinity of former Navy bases.
- Newark Basin aquifers of the Brunswick Group and the Lockatong and Stockton Formations have been used for industrial and drinking-water supply.
- Field testing characterized the highly heterogeneous and anisotropic strata showing the predominant role of bed-oriented fractures in contaminant migration.
- Measured water levels in wells were used to construct water-level maps, and aquifer testing revealed high-permeability hydraulic connections between wells.
Recent & Ongoing Studies
- USGS is conducting borehole geophysical and packer testing to help characterize the area hydrogeology and design groundwater monitoring systems.
- Groundwater-flow modeling was used to synthesize field-test results using a 3D hydrogeologic framework of dipping shale, mudstone, and sandstone strata.
- Modeling was used to show how changes in pumping over time have changed flow paths from possible contaminant source areas, providing scientific information for characterization, monitoring, and remediation activities.
- Areas contributing recharge to groundwater that then discharges to streams or water-supply wells were mapped using groundwater-flow modeling; as groundwater withdrawals in the area have decreased, a higher proportion of local recharge ultimately discharges to streams.
Streamflow Monitoring
USGS provides streamflow information in the study area that can be used in conjunction with water quality data to evaluate the mass of contaminants transported by streams and the relations between concentrations and flow conditions. Other applications may include evaluating groundwater/surface water interactions and transient effects of point discharges from wastewater treatment plants.
Data Access
- Stream gage data in the study area is Tabulated Here.
- Find these and other surface-water data using the National Water Information System (NWIS) Mapper.
For reports, datasets, and maps collated by location see
Links to USGS surface water data in the study area is provided on the 'Overview' tab.
Or, find USGS data using NWIS mapper for Pennsylvania.
Filter Total Items: 28
Maps of difference between ground-water contributions to base flow for the various recurrence intervals and ground-water withdrawals in the Neshaminy Creek basin, Pennsylvania Maps of difference between ground-water contributions to base flow for the various recurrence intervals and ground-water withdrawals in the Neshaminy Creek basin, Pennsylvania
No abstract available.
Authors
C.L. Schreffler, P.H. Bird
Geohydrology and vertical distribution of volatile organic compounds in ground water, Fischer and Porter Company Superfund Site, Warminster, Bucks County, Pennsylvania Geohydrology and vertical distribution of volatile organic compounds in ground water, Fischer and Porter Company Superfund Site, Warminster, Bucks County, Pennsylvania
The Fischer and Porter Company Superfund Site is underlain by sedimentary rocks of the Upper Triassic Stockton Formation, which consists of interbedded siltstone, very-fine grained to coarse-grained sandstone, and conglomerate in crudely defined, upward fining cycles. These rocks form a complex, heterogeneous, leaky, multiaquifer system comprised of a series of gently dipping lithologic...
Authors
Ronald Sloto, Paola Macchiaroli, Randall Conger
Altitude and configuration of the potentiometric surface, Casey Village, Warminster and Upper Southampton townships, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, August 3, 1995 Altitude and configuration of the potentiometric surface, Casey Village, Warminster and Upper Southampton townships, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, August 3, 1995
A map showing the potentiometric surface in Casey Village, Warminster and Upper Southampton Townships, Bucks County, was constructed from water levels measured on August 3, 1995. The potentiometric surface, measured in 17 wells screened between 18 and 64 feet below land surface, ranged from 321.99 to 344.80 feet above sea level. The potentiometric surface, measured in 12 wells screened...
Authors
Ronald Sloto, Kevin Grazul
Effect of urbanization on the water resources of Warminster Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania Effect of urbanization on the water resources of Warminster Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania
Rapid suburban development occurred in Warminster Township and the surrounding area after World War II, resulting in a large population dependent on ground water. In 1980, approximately 2.7 billion gallons of ground water was pumped by public water suppliers and government facilities. Pumping wells can cause drawdown as far as 2,500 feet undip, downdip, or along strike even if the wells...
Authors
R. A. Sloto, D.K. Davis
USGS has investigated groundwater flow and contaminant transport in the vicinity of former Navy bases in Bucks and Montgomery Counties, southeastern Pennsylvania, in cooperation with the U.S. Navy. Additional cooperative support for these investigations has been provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Bucks and Montgomery counties, and local government agencies.
Highlights
- The latest report (see Publications) describes results of packer tests and other vertical profiling methods in 15 boreholes in fractured sedimentary bedrock in Northampton, Warminster, and Warwick Townships.
- Regional groundwater-flow paths from possible PFAS source locations at and near Willow Grove and Warminster bases terminate at streams and pumping wells with a few miles of the bases.
- Industrial chemical contaminants have migrated in fractured-rock aquifers in the vicinity of former Navy bases.
- Newark Basin aquifers of the Brunswick Group and the Lockatong and Stockton Formations have been used for industrial and drinking-water supply.
- Field testing characterized the highly heterogeneous and anisotropic strata showing the predominant role of bed-oriented fractures in contaminant migration.
- Measured water levels in wells were used to construct water-level maps, and aquifer testing revealed high-permeability hydraulic connections between wells.
Recent & Ongoing Studies
- USGS is conducting borehole geophysical and packer testing to help characterize the area hydrogeology and design groundwater monitoring systems.
- Groundwater-flow modeling was used to synthesize field-test results using a 3D hydrogeologic framework of dipping shale, mudstone, and sandstone strata.
- Modeling was used to show how changes in pumping over time have changed flow paths from possible contaminant source areas, providing scientific information for characterization, monitoring, and remediation activities.
- Areas contributing recharge to groundwater that then discharges to streams or water-supply wells were mapped using groundwater-flow modeling; as groundwater withdrawals in the area have decreased, a higher proportion of local recharge ultimately discharges to streams.
Streamflow Monitoring
USGS provides streamflow information in the study area that can be used in conjunction with water quality data to evaluate the mass of contaminants transported by streams and the relations between concentrations and flow conditions. Other applications may include evaluating groundwater/surface water interactions and transient effects of point discharges from wastewater treatment plants.
Data Access
- Stream gage data in the study area is Tabulated Here.
- Find these and other surface-water data using the National Water Information System (NWIS) Mapper.
For reports, datasets, and maps collated by location see
Links to USGS surface water data in the study area is provided on the 'Overview' tab.
Or, find USGS data using NWIS mapper for Pennsylvania.
Filter Total Items: 28
Maps of difference between ground-water contributions to base flow for the various recurrence intervals and ground-water withdrawals in the Neshaminy Creek basin, Pennsylvania Maps of difference between ground-water contributions to base flow for the various recurrence intervals and ground-water withdrawals in the Neshaminy Creek basin, Pennsylvania
No abstract available.
Authors
C.L. Schreffler, P.H. Bird
Geohydrology and vertical distribution of volatile organic compounds in ground water, Fischer and Porter Company Superfund Site, Warminster, Bucks County, Pennsylvania Geohydrology and vertical distribution of volatile organic compounds in ground water, Fischer and Porter Company Superfund Site, Warminster, Bucks County, Pennsylvania
The Fischer and Porter Company Superfund Site is underlain by sedimentary rocks of the Upper Triassic Stockton Formation, which consists of interbedded siltstone, very-fine grained to coarse-grained sandstone, and conglomerate in crudely defined, upward fining cycles. These rocks form a complex, heterogeneous, leaky, multiaquifer system comprised of a series of gently dipping lithologic...
Authors
Ronald Sloto, Paola Macchiaroli, Randall Conger
Altitude and configuration of the potentiometric surface, Casey Village, Warminster and Upper Southampton townships, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, August 3, 1995 Altitude and configuration of the potentiometric surface, Casey Village, Warminster and Upper Southampton townships, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, August 3, 1995
A map showing the potentiometric surface in Casey Village, Warminster and Upper Southampton Townships, Bucks County, was constructed from water levels measured on August 3, 1995. The potentiometric surface, measured in 17 wells screened between 18 and 64 feet below land surface, ranged from 321.99 to 344.80 feet above sea level. The potentiometric surface, measured in 12 wells screened...
Authors
Ronald Sloto, Kevin Grazul
Effect of urbanization on the water resources of Warminster Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania Effect of urbanization on the water resources of Warminster Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania
Rapid suburban development occurred in Warminster Township and the surrounding area after World War II, resulting in a large population dependent on ground water. In 1980, approximately 2.7 billion gallons of ground water was pumped by public water suppliers and government facilities. Pumping wells can cause drawdown as far as 2,500 feet undip, downdip, or along strike even if the wells...
Authors
R. A. Sloto, D.K. Davis