Crews continue to monitor SPS Technologies in Jenkintown. Photo by James Short.
The fire at SPS Technologies in Jenkintown has left lasting effects on residents.
Concerns over air quality, soil testing, and water monitoring have remained over the last few weeks after the fire was extinguished. County officials have held several community meetings to address residents’ concerns and questions.
Recently, SPS Technologies released an update of its own on testing.
“SPS remains committed to the safety and well-being of our community following the recent fire. We have been diligently working with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP), the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), and the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) to ensure public safety.
“SPS intends to continue its air and water monitoring for the foreseeable future. We are providing the following information and monitoring results to the community, and we expect to update this portion of the SPS website a few times each week.
“If you have questions about the air or water monitoring results or related topics, please contact the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) at (484) 250-5900 or www.dep.pa.gov/southeast.”
SPS also has provided an extensive update section on its website on what it has done at the site.
Air Monitoring
Has USEPA evaluated its air monitoring data and what does it show?
On Feb. 25, 2025, USEPA released a report containing the results of its air monitoring. USEPA has concluded that “EPA air monitoring has not detected respirable dust or any chemicals at levels of concern to date in the air outside of the facility.”
What are the parameters that SPS is monitoring for in the air?
We are monitoring the air for the following parameters:
Water Monitoring
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.
What surface water sampling is SPS performing in the vicinity of the facility?
We have been sampling surface water at five locations in Tookany Creek and Baeder Creek, both upstream and downstream of the SPS facility. We are also conducting surface water sampling at permitted outfalls. Surface water sampling is being conducted in accordance with a sampling plan that was submitted to PADEP, USEPA, and PWD.
What are you sampling for?
Surface water samples collected in Tookany Creek and Baeder Creek are being analyzed for the following parameters:
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 has been detected in surface water in Tookany Creek. As of our March 3rd sampling event, none of the cyanide concentrations have exceeded the USEPA’s drinking water standard, though some have exceeded PADEP’s water quality criteria. The overall results are trending downwards.
