A national report on the country’s “most endangered rivers” ranks the Susquehanna number one.
Jeff Schmidt of Pennsylvania’s Sierra Club said that’s due to natural gas drilling along the state’s northern tier. “The American Rivers [who publishes the annual report] recognize – and Sierra Club recognizes – there are other problems related to water quality in the Susquehanna. But those problems pale in significance, compared to the over-arching threat represented by Marcellus Shale drilling throughout the basin,” he said. Schmidt and other environmentalists are worried chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing could migrate into the Susquehanna’s waterways, along with methane gas.
Here’s American Rivers’ full take on the Susquehanna: “One of the longest rivers in America, the Susquehanna River provides drinking water to millions of people and supplies more than half of the freshwater to the Chesapeake Bay. But the river and its clean water are threatened by natural gas development, which produces toxic waste and requires millions of gallons of water. Unless Pennsylvania, New York, and the Susquehanna River Basin Commission announce a complete moratorium on water withdrawals and hydraulic fracturing and comprehensive safeguards for clean water are enforced, drinking water and public health will be at risk.”
With hundreds of wells already under production in counties surrounding the Susquehanna, a moratorium is politically unlikely at this point – especially since Republican Governor Tom Corbett is committed to growing Pennsylvania’s gas industry. (In speech after speech, Corbett says he’s equally committed to protecting the environment and drinking water. His Marcellus Shale Commission will provide both regulatory and economic policy suggestions this summer.)
Not surprisingly, the drilling industry is skeptical of the new report. Kathryn Klaber, the president of the Marcellus Shale Coalition, emailed, “Despite the fact that the livelihoods of nearly 25,000 Gulf Coast residents are now hanging in the balance as the Mississippi River continues to swell at unthinkable rates, this organization – which ironically claims to stand ‘up for healthy rivers so communities can thrive’ – is seeking nothing more than to undercut the responsible development of clean burning, job-creating natural gas.”
She continued, “We’re very proud of the fact that our industry’s work is allowing communities across the Commonwealth to once again thrive. Our work can and must be balanced with the protection of our environment, especially our water resources. It’s very sad and predictable, however, that some organizations will stop at nothing, disregarding facts and science at every turn, to thwart American energy production.”
Last year’s report listed the Delaware River as its top endangered waterway. The 2010 survey was released shortly before the Delaware River Basin Commission expanded a temporary moratorium on drilling in its region, as the governing body debates new regulations. “Since the Susquehanna doesn’t have a similar effort underway, and it’s got the majority of gas drilling in its basin, in Pennsylvania, I’m not surprised by [the Susquehanna’s rank],” said Schmidt.
This year’s report says Wyoming’s Hoback River is also threatened by natural gas drilling.
Showing posts with label Water. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Water. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Friday, May 13, 2011
30th Whitewater Rendezvous Runs More Water
For ten years Steve Podratsky has been fighting to install a valve in the Quemahoning Reservoir that would allow more than 3,000 gallons of water to flow into the Stonycreek River every second. On Friday Podratsky will get to see that valve ceremoniously turned for the first time.
The event will mark the beginning of the 30th annual Benscreek Canoe Club Whitewater Rendezvous. The Rendezvous runs Friday the 13th through Sunday the 15th. Most of the activities center around Greenhouse Park in Johnston but with 700 to 800 kayakers and rafters expected to be in town for the event, it will spill over into other creeks and rivers. “We have quite an established whitewater watershed in our area with anywhere from 6 to 10 streams that run from class III to class V,” said Podratsky who is the president of the Benscreek Canoe Club.
Rivers in the area are running high following the wet spring and Podratsky believes that will make for a great run on the Stonycreek. The main race event runs Friday from Carpenter’s Park to Greenhouse Park.
This year the valve will only be opened to allow 350 cubic feet of water per second to pass under the dam and into the river. When the valve, which was installed over the winter, is fully operational it will be capable of releasing 500 cu ft /sec. The old valve topped out at 150 cu ft /sec. The valve replacement project came with a $1.5 million price tag. The goal is to allow water releases every other weekend throughout the spring and fall.
More than half of the kayakers that turnout for the event are from out of town said Podratsky and the region’s whitewater opportunities are growing in fame. “Paint Creek is class V, that stream actually drops 200 feet in elevation in two miles so it has 10 to 12 cascading waterfalls on it that a lot of whitewater kayakers find very attractive and we have Shade Creek too that runs about 14 miles of continues white water,” said Podratsky. Those runs have been getting write-ups in several publications and websites.
Saturday will feature a whitewater rodeo in the recently improved section of Stonycreek in Greenhouse Park. “We have between 30 and 40 semi-professional, intermediate and amateur kayakers,” said Podratsky, “They have 90 seconds to do as many tricks and flips and twists and turns as they can.” The runs will be scored and winners will take home prizes.
Schedules and maps can be found at the Benscreek Canoe Club web page.
The event will mark the beginning of the 30th annual Benscreek Canoe Club Whitewater Rendezvous. The Rendezvous runs Friday the 13th through Sunday the 15th. Most of the activities center around Greenhouse Park in Johnston but with 700 to 800 kayakers and rafters expected to be in town for the event, it will spill over into other creeks and rivers. “We have quite an established whitewater watershed in our area with anywhere from 6 to 10 streams that run from class III to class V,” said Podratsky who is the president of the Benscreek Canoe Club.
Rivers in the area are running high following the wet spring and Podratsky believes that will make for a great run on the Stonycreek. The main race event runs Friday from Carpenter’s Park to Greenhouse Park.
This year the valve will only be opened to allow 350 cubic feet of water per second to pass under the dam and into the river. When the valve, which was installed over the winter, is fully operational it will be capable of releasing 500 cu ft /sec. The old valve topped out at 150 cu ft /sec. The valve replacement project came with a $1.5 million price tag. The goal is to allow water releases every other weekend throughout the spring and fall.
More than half of the kayakers that turnout for the event are from out of town said Podratsky and the region’s whitewater opportunities are growing in fame. “Paint Creek is class V, that stream actually drops 200 feet in elevation in two miles so it has 10 to 12 cascading waterfalls on it that a lot of whitewater kayakers find very attractive and we have Shade Creek too that runs about 14 miles of continues white water,” said Podratsky. Those runs have been getting write-ups in several publications and websites.
Saturday will feature a whitewater rodeo in the recently improved section of Stonycreek in Greenhouse Park. “We have between 30 and 40 semi-professional, intermediate and amateur kayakers,” said Podratsky, “They have 90 seconds to do as many tricks and flips and twists and turns as they can.” The runs will be scored and winners will take home prizes.
Schedules and maps can be found at the Benscreek Canoe Club web page.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Dam Flow Reduced to Prevent Flooding of Lower Ohio River
In response to historically high water levels on the lower Ohio River, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in Pittsburgh has made the decision to retain water behind its dams until flooding in Huntington, West Virginia begins to subside. As of this morning, the district reduced the dam flow from 47,000 to 10,000 cubic feet per second while using available flood storing capacity to hold excess water.
Jeff Hawk of the USACE Pittsburgh District says the water levels downstream have reached historic rates and every tenth of an inch of water downstream could be costly.
“We have one of our senior leaders down at ground zero down there and he is telling us that this is the highest water those levies have seen down there since they were constructed in the late 1920’s” Hawk says.
The Army Corps of Engineers is constantly monitoring the National Weather Service for the potential of more rain, and Hawk explains that these high water levels may take a while to subside.
“This is our wet period. The weather service tells us we’re in a pattern of storms that just keeps cycling through,” Hawk says. “Typically we start to get dryer at this point and we’re struggling at some lakes to reach what we call our summer pool. So yeah, this is unusual. If this cycle of storms continues then we’ll have to continue dealing with high water.”
Hawk says our region can handle the extra water to help those downstream, but many local recreational areas may experience flooding so visitors should call before making a trip.
Friday, April 22, 2011
The Water is on in Harrisburg
Life has returned to normal at the state Capitol, where a water main break disrupted work for most of the week.On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, state workers were told to stay home, come in late or go home early, since the Capitol’s water system was down for the count. The employees who stayed had to use port-o-potties, and were told to bring their own bottled water to work.
House Democratic staffer Bob Caton estimated about 15 percent of legislative employees toughed it out. “I’m an NFL season ticket holder,” he said. “I’m used to peeing in port-o-johns. What I really felt bad for, though, there were so many school groups that were coming to the Capitol. And for these school kids, this is one of the biggest days of the year. Not only do you get out of class, but you get to see this amazing Capitol building. You get to go and do all kinds of cool tours. And those tours were kind of thrown off a little bit, and you had elementary school students waiting in long lines to use the port-o-johns at the back of the Capitol.” Many schools cancelled their tours altogether.
Release after release from the governor’s office said “nonessential workers” were being asked to leave. Who made the cut for essential? Office of Administration spokesman Dan Egan explained “essential” employees typically held health and safety-related jobs. “So for the complex, that would include Capitol police, security, building maintenance and sanitation workers. A lot of the managers had to stay on, as well. They were considered essential,” he said.
In a statement, Governor Corbett thanked state employees who worked through the hassle. “This week’s experience, while challenging, demonstrated that our contingency plans worked as designed,” he said. “Although some central offices were closed, the administration did not shut down and government operations statewide continued – just as taxpayers would expect. …Administration-wide, essential employees reported to work every day and many other employees continued to work remotely.
Harrisburg remains under a boil water advisory through Friday.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Chesapeake Stops Fracking During Investigation
Crews are still trying to stop a major fracking fluid leak at a Bradford County natural gas well.
Meantime, Chesapeake Energy is shutting down “completion operations” at its Pennsylvania sites until the company figures out what caused Tuesday’s accident. That includes all hydraulic fracturing or fracking.
Department of Environmental Protection spokesman Dan Spadoni says a Texas company called “Boots and Coots” is leading the cleanup effort.
"They have set up a mechanical system so that they can pump what’s called lost circulation material into the well to plug the leak. They would then pump heavy mud into the well, and they are hopeful the combination will effectively seal the well."
Spadoni says test results on impact of the spill are not complete, but a field check did not show any negative effect on the Susquehanna...
"We have not seen evidence of a fish kill. Obviously the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission was notified, and they have been on the scene as well."
Emergency officials initially thought they had capped the leak Wednesday evening, but Spadoni says about a gallon of fracking fluid is still leaking every minute.
Chesapeake Energy says a “limited” amount of natural gas has escaped, as well.
At least two families have been displaced by the spill.
Meantime, Chesapeake Energy is shutting down “completion operations” at its Pennsylvania sites until the company figures out what caused Tuesday’s accident. That includes all hydraulic fracturing or fracking.
Department of Environmental Protection spokesman Dan Spadoni says a Texas company called “Boots and Coots” is leading the cleanup effort.
"They have set up a mechanical system so that they can pump what’s called lost circulation material into the well to plug the leak. They would then pump heavy mud into the well, and they are hopeful the combination will effectively seal the well."
Spadoni says test results on impact of the spill are not complete, but a field check did not show any negative effect on the Susquehanna...
"We have not seen evidence of a fish kill. Obviously the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission was notified, and they have been on the scene as well."
Emergency officials initially thought they had capped the leak Wednesday evening, but Spadoni says about a gallon of fracking fluid is still leaking every minute.
Chesapeake Energy says a “limited” amount of natural gas has escaped, as well.
At least two families have been displaced by the spill.
Bradford County Commissioner on Wastewater Leak
A hydraulic fracturing fluid leak at a Bradford County gas well has been contained but not stopped. The spill lasted nearly 20 hours before it was brought under control and it is estimated that thousands of gallons of fracking fluid has been spilled.
Bradford County Commissioner Mark Smith says that Marcellus Shale drilling is a state-wide issue that has a close-to-home impact.
"It points out that the drilling development does have a significant impact on communities and the environment and we need to ensure that at the state level they're taking this stuff into consideration. The fact that there's such an impact on local communities needs to be addressed."
Since the leak, Smith says that a command center has been set up in the Leroy Township Community Building to manage communications to public emergency personnel. He also mentioned that well control specialists from out of state were brought in to address the issue by building secondary containment mechanisms to prevent the leaking fluid from getting into the nearby creek.
Smith says that no liquid has leaked into the area's water to his knowledge.
Bradford County Commissioner Mark Smith says that Marcellus Shale drilling is a state-wide issue that has a close-to-home impact.
"It points out that the drilling development does have a significant impact on communities and the environment and we need to ensure that at the state level they're taking this stuff into consideration. The fact that there's such an impact on local communities needs to be addressed."
Since the leak, Smith says that a command center has been set up in the Leroy Township Community Building to manage communications to public emergency personnel. He also mentioned that well control specialists from out of state were brought in to address the issue by building secondary containment mechanisms to prevent the leaking fluid from getting into the nearby creek.
Smith says that no liquid has leaked into the area's water to his knowledge.
Thousands of Gallons Of Frack Water Spill
A Bradford County natural gas well is back under control, after a hydraulic fracturing fluid leak that lasted nearly 20 hours.
Chesapeake Energy says initial testing has found little impact on waterways from the spill. The company says the problem began just before midnight Tuesday, during “well completion activities” at a Leroy Township site.
Skip Roupp, the Deputy Director for Bradford County’s Emergency Management Agency, says there are some homes downhill from the spill. "Did the water get into people’s wells? Maybe, maybe not. I don’t know yet. But those will be things to determine,” he said in an interview with Binghamton, New York-based public radio station WSKG.
Seven families were temporarily evacuated because of the spill, which was contained on Wednesday evening. All but one have returned to their homes. Chesapeake maintains there weren’t any injuries or gas emissions.
Chesapeake says crews have built a containment system to divert tainted water from Towanda Creek.
Roupp estimated “thousands of gallons” of chemical and salt-laden fracking fluid spilled from the site. “It’s an environmental problem. …If it got down to where the trout were, if it gets salty it would kill the fish.” As big of a mess the spill is, Roupp pointed out it could have been worse. “I’m much happier with it being water than gas,” he said. “If it were gas – if we had a major blowout with gas, then we would have a major explosion, which we didn’t have. Or we would have unexploded gas, which is an even bigger concern for me.”
The company blames equipment failure for causing the blowout. Fracking fluid spewed out of the well bore, escaped containment, crossed over farm fields and went into a stream.
Chesapeake Energy says initial testing has found little impact on waterways from the spill. The company says the problem began just before midnight Tuesday, during “well completion activities” at a Leroy Township site.
Skip Roupp, the Deputy Director for Bradford County’s Emergency Management Agency, says there are some homes downhill from the spill. "Did the water get into people’s wells? Maybe, maybe not. I don’t know yet. But those will be things to determine,” he said in an interview with Binghamton, New York-based public radio station WSKG.
Seven families were temporarily evacuated because of the spill, which was contained on Wednesday evening. All but one have returned to their homes. Chesapeake maintains there weren’t any injuries or gas emissions.
Chesapeake says crews have built a containment system to divert tainted water from Towanda Creek.
Roupp estimated “thousands of gallons” of chemical and salt-laden fracking fluid spilled from the site. “It’s an environmental problem. …If it got down to where the trout were, if it gets salty it would kill the fish.” As big of a mess the spill is, Roupp pointed out it could have been worse. “I’m much happier with it being water than gas,” he said. “If it were gas – if we had a major blowout with gas, then we would have a major explosion, which we didn’t have. Or we would have unexploded gas, which is an even bigger concern for me.”
The company blames equipment failure for causing the blowout. Fracking fluid spewed out of the well bore, escaped containment, crossed over farm fields and went into a stream.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Environmentalists Praise DEP's Decision on Fracking Water
The Corbett Administration is asking natural gas drillers to stop delivering their wastewater to 15 treatment facilities most of which are in western Pennsylvania.
Governor Ed Rendell had allowed the centers, which discharge liquid into waterways, to continue treating hydraulic fracturing fluid under old guidelines, even though Pennsylvania toughened its standards last year. The Department of Environmental Protection’s announcement frames the change as a way to cut back on the amount of bromides in western Pennsylvania waterways. “Recent surface water sampling has found elevated levels of bromide in rivers. …Bromide, itself non-toxic, turns into a combination of potentially unsafe compounds called Total Trihalomethanes once it is combined with chlorine for disinfection at water treatment facilities,” read the DEP statement. Just before the department announced its shift, the Marcellus Shale Coalition admitted drilling wastewater is likely responsible for those increased bromide levels.
The change is earning Corbett rare praise from the environmental groups who have criticized his administration’s regulation of natural gas drilling. “It puts the state back in line with the Clean Water Act, because the simple fact is no one has ever sought a permit to discharge natural gas drilling wastewater,” said Brady Russell, Clean Water Action’s eastern Pennsylvania director. “There is no Clean Water Act exemption there. You have to seek permits for any stream of waste that you’re going to discharge into rivers and streams.” Jan Jarrett, the president and CEO of PennFuture, called it “an appropriate response to new information” about bromide levels. “So the only rational response is to absolutely ratchet down on that and try to get it out of the water altogether. And this is a great step in that direction, since publicly owned treatment plants -- sewage treatment plants run by municipalities – aren’t equipped to treat those kinds of substances,” she said.
It’s important to note this is a request, and not an order. DEP spokeswoman Katie Gresh framed it as “a call to action” for drilling companies. She said the agency will reevaluate the situation in 30 days, and may possibly issue an order at that point.
If drilling companies comply with the request, they’ll likely have to recycle or treat more of their fracking fluid on-site, or truck it out to centers that can treat the fluid at the higher standards.
The water treatment facilities include the Clairton City Municipal Authority and McKeesport City Municipal Authority; the Kiski Valley Water Pollution Control Authority in Westmoreland County; New Castle City Sanitation Authority in Lawrence County; Johnstown Redevelopment Authority; Franklin Township Sewage Authority in Greene County; and, Tunnelton Liquids Co. and Hart Resource Technologies Inc. in Indiana County.
Governor Ed Rendell had allowed the centers, which discharge liquid into waterways, to continue treating hydraulic fracturing fluid under old guidelines, even though Pennsylvania toughened its standards last year. The Department of Environmental Protection’s announcement frames the change as a way to cut back on the amount of bromides in western Pennsylvania waterways. “Recent surface water sampling has found elevated levels of bromide in rivers. …Bromide, itself non-toxic, turns into a combination of potentially unsafe compounds called Total Trihalomethanes once it is combined with chlorine for disinfection at water treatment facilities,” read the DEP statement. Just before the department announced its shift, the Marcellus Shale Coalition admitted drilling wastewater is likely responsible for those increased bromide levels.
The change is earning Corbett rare praise from the environmental groups who have criticized his administration’s regulation of natural gas drilling. “It puts the state back in line with the Clean Water Act, because the simple fact is no one has ever sought a permit to discharge natural gas drilling wastewater,” said Brady Russell, Clean Water Action’s eastern Pennsylvania director. “There is no Clean Water Act exemption there. You have to seek permits for any stream of waste that you’re going to discharge into rivers and streams.” Jan Jarrett, the president and CEO of PennFuture, called it “an appropriate response to new information” about bromide levels. “So the only rational response is to absolutely ratchet down on that and try to get it out of the water altogether. And this is a great step in that direction, since publicly owned treatment plants -- sewage treatment plants run by municipalities – aren’t equipped to treat those kinds of substances,” she said.
It’s important to note this is a request, and not an order. DEP spokeswoman Katie Gresh framed it as “a call to action” for drilling companies. She said the agency will reevaluate the situation in 30 days, and may possibly issue an order at that point.
If drilling companies comply with the request, they’ll likely have to recycle or treat more of their fracking fluid on-site, or truck it out to centers that can treat the fluid at the higher standards.
The water treatment facilities include the Clairton City Municipal Authority and McKeesport City Municipal Authority; the Kiski Valley Water Pollution Control Authority in Westmoreland County; New Castle City Sanitation Authority in Lawrence County; Johnstown Redevelopment Authority; Franklin Township Sewage Authority in Greene County; and, Tunnelton Liquids Co. and Hart Resource Technologies Inc. in Indiana County.
Drillers Asked to Stop Taking Frack Water to Treatment Plants
Citing potentially unsafe drinking water, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is calling on natural gas drillers to stop taking wastewater, to 15 treatment plants by May 19. The 15 treatment facilities had been accepting the fracking water under special provisions of last year's Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) regulations. The wastewater is the chemically-treated fracking water used to break shale and released the natural gas.
Acting DEP Secretary Mike Krancer took the step Tuesday, citing elevated levels of bromide in rivers in western Pennsylvania where gas drilling has rapidly grown in the past three years.
"We now have more definitive scientific data, improved technology and increased voluntary wastewater recycling by industry. We used to have 27 grandfathered facilities; but over the last year, many have voluntarily decided to stop taking the wastewater and we are now doen to only 15. More than half of those facilities are now up for permit renewal. Now is the time to take action to end this practice."
Bromide is a salt and is present in drilling wastewater that is partially treated by sewer authorities and discharged into rivers that supply drinking water.
It reacts with chlorine disinfectants used by drinking water systems and creates trihalomethanes which can be harmful to people who drink water with elevated levels of the chemical for many years.
In addition to gas drilling, other industrial sources are also a major factor in the high salt levels that lead to trihalomethanes in drinking water.
Acting DEP Secretary Mike Krancer took the step Tuesday, citing elevated levels of bromide in rivers in western Pennsylvania where gas drilling has rapidly grown in the past three years.
"We now have more definitive scientific data, improved technology and increased voluntary wastewater recycling by industry. We used to have 27 grandfathered facilities; but over the last year, many have voluntarily decided to stop taking the wastewater and we are now doen to only 15. More than half of those facilities are now up for permit renewal. Now is the time to take action to end this practice."
Bromide is a salt and is present in drilling wastewater that is partially treated by sewer authorities and discharged into rivers that supply drinking water.
It reacts with chlorine disinfectants used by drinking water systems and creates trihalomethanes which can be harmful to people who drink water with elevated levels of the chemical for many years.
In addition to gas drilling, other industrial sources are also a major factor in the high salt levels that lead to trihalomethanes in drinking water.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Foundation Wants Federal Fracking Analysis
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation has filed a petition under the National Environmental Policy Act calling for a comprehensive federal analysis of Marcellus Shale drilling in the 6 bay watershed states: Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware and New York.
The foundation says assessments are underway on the impact of using chemically-treated water under high pressure to fracture the shale and release the natural gas, known as fracking, but Harry Campbell, Pennsylvania senior scientist for the foundation, claims that none of the studies are looking at the big picture....
"They are not taking a comprehensive look at the innumerable potential impacts this industry will have on our land, our water, as well as our quality of life. We need an analysis that will connect the dots."
The foundation says that the federal government is obligated by law to ensure the drilling won't adversely affect human health or the environment. More than 120 businesses, organizations and elected officials signed a letter to the president supporting the petition. But the petition does not call for a moratorium
Campbell says such an analysis would likely take several years and he acknowledges during that time drilling will continue..."If e do that analysis as the information is gathered, we can certainly look at ways to adapt to the industry so as to position Pennsylvania and other bay states as well as the federal government to better handle the environmental and quality of life impacts."
Campbell said if there are potential impacts, it's important to know how significant they are..."we do not have an unbiased, science-based analysis that is cumulatively looking at all of the issues related to this industry.
The foundation says assessments are underway on the impact of using chemically-treated water under high pressure to fracture the shale and release the natural gas, known as fracking, but Harry Campbell, Pennsylvania senior scientist for the foundation, claims that none of the studies are looking at the big picture....
"They are not taking a comprehensive look at the innumerable potential impacts this industry will have on our land, our water, as well as our quality of life. We need an analysis that will connect the dots."
The foundation says that the federal government is obligated by law to ensure the drilling won't adversely affect human health or the environment. More than 120 businesses, organizations and elected officials signed a letter to the president supporting the petition. But the petition does not call for a moratorium
Campbell says such an analysis would likely take several years and he acknowledges during that time drilling will continue..."If e do that analysis as the information is gathered, we can certainly look at ways to adapt to the industry so as to position Pennsylvania and other bay states as well as the federal government to better handle the environmental and quality of life impacts."
Campbell said if there are potential impacts, it's important to know how significant they are..."we do not have an unbiased, science-based analysis that is cumulatively looking at all of the issues related to this industry.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Low Radiation Levels in PA Rain Water
Radioactive material from Japan’s crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant has traveled around the world, and been detected in Pennsylvania rainwater.
State and federal officials insist the low levels of Iodine-131 don’t pose a public health threat, but nevertheless, Department of Environmental Protection inspectors spent the weekend testing drinking water. “Public water samples were taken from facilities in Norristown, East Straudsburg, Harrisburg, Williamsport, Greenville and Pittsburgh,” said Governor Corbett at a Capitol press conference. “After repeated testing throughout the weekend, results were within normal levels, in the single digits, and below the federal level. The bottom line is our public drinking water is safe.”
The radioactive element was discovered in Massachusetts, California and Washington rainwater, as well. In Pennsylvania, the Iodine-131 was 25 times below the federally-set “level of concern.” “Taking potassium iodide is absolutely unnecessary under these circumstances, and could cause harmful side effects,” Corbett said. “Although usually harmless, it can present a danger to people with allergies to iodine or shellfish, or those who have thyroid problems.” Pharmacies across the country have reported increased sales of the emergency pills since Japan’s nuclear crisis began.
An Environmental Protection Agency statement on the rainwater test reads, “While short-term elevations such as these do not raise public health concerns – and the levels seen in rainwater are expected to be relatively short in duration – the U.S. EPA has taken steps to increase the level of nationwide monitoring of precipitation, drinking water, and other potential exposure routes to continue to verify that. EPA’s only recommendation to state and local governments is to continue to coordinate closely with EPA, CDC and FDA – EPA will continue to communicate our nationwide sampling results as they come in.” Corbett said the state will stay in contact with the EPA, Nuclear Regulatory Commission and other federal agencies, as water tests continue.
Corbett noted the radiation announcement came on the 32nd anniversary of Pennsylvania’s Three Mile Island nuclear accident. “The lessons we learned from that incident and the safeguards that were installed, including constant monitoring, have made us better prepared for situations like this,” he said.
State and federal officials insist the low levels of Iodine-131 don’t pose a public health threat, but nevertheless, Department of Environmental Protection inspectors spent the weekend testing drinking water. “Public water samples were taken from facilities in Norristown, East Straudsburg, Harrisburg, Williamsport, Greenville and Pittsburgh,” said Governor Corbett at a Capitol press conference. “After repeated testing throughout the weekend, results were within normal levels, in the single digits, and below the federal level. The bottom line is our public drinking water is safe.”
The radioactive element was discovered in Massachusetts, California and Washington rainwater, as well. In Pennsylvania, the Iodine-131 was 25 times below the federally-set “level of concern.” “Taking potassium iodide is absolutely unnecessary under these circumstances, and could cause harmful side effects,” Corbett said. “Although usually harmless, it can present a danger to people with allergies to iodine or shellfish, or those who have thyroid problems.” Pharmacies across the country have reported increased sales of the emergency pills since Japan’s nuclear crisis began.
An Environmental Protection Agency statement on the rainwater test reads, “While short-term elevations such as these do not raise public health concerns – and the levels seen in rainwater are expected to be relatively short in duration – the U.S. EPA has taken steps to increase the level of nationwide monitoring of precipitation, drinking water, and other potential exposure routes to continue to verify that. EPA’s only recommendation to state and local governments is to continue to coordinate closely with EPA, CDC and FDA – EPA will continue to communicate our nationwide sampling results as they come in.” Corbett said the state will stay in contact with the EPA, Nuclear Regulatory Commission and other federal agencies, as water tests continue.
Corbett noted the radiation announcement came on the 32nd anniversary of Pennsylvania’s Three Mile Island nuclear accident. “The lessons we learned from that incident and the safeguards that were installed, including constant monitoring, have made us better prepared for situations like this,” he said.
Lt. Gov.: "Severance Tax is Off the Table"
A panel formed to study natural gas drilling policy for Pennsylvania has 120 days to deliver a report to Governor Tom Corbett.
The 30-member Marcellus Shale Commission will spend the next four months thinking up economic and regulatory policies to suggest to the governor. It held its first meeting in Harrisburg on Friday.
Addressing the most high-profile drilling issue, Lieutenant Governor and commission chair Jim Cawley said a severance tax is “off the table,” but noted the group will weigh the need for some sort of impact fee to address infrastructure damage. “If identifiable impacts to local government are enumerated, and there is costs that go with that, the governor has charged us with seeing ways in which we could help local governments meet those impacts,” he said.
A public comment period at the end of Friday’s meeting highlighted how divisive the drilling issue has become. Some of the speakers praised drilling’s economic impact on rural communities. Bradford County Commissioner Doug McLinko, a Republican, said drilling has contributed to “climate change” in his county. “The climate is, family farms are being saved. Shops – mom and pops are seeing so much prosperity that they’ve never seen before. You know, there’s the local impacts. There’s good and bad with everything, but as far as job creation, we led the state,” he said.
Nathan Sooy of Clean Water Action said drilling’s potential dangers, including water contamination, has caused environmental groups to beef up, as well. “You guys are creating jobs in my industry. There are more and more jobs to keep track of you guys. And I just wanted to let you know that,” he said. Other speakers questioned the panel’s pro-drilling makeup – a third of its members have ties to the energy industry – with one woman calling its members “cheerleaders” for extraction.
The day’s most emotional comments came from Wyoming County resident Joanne Fiorito, who told the commission drilling has “taken my American dream and ripped it apart.” “You haven’t seen the last of [me],” she said.
The commission holds its next meeting April 27th.
The 30-member Marcellus Shale Commission will spend the next four months thinking up economic and regulatory policies to suggest to the governor. It held its first meeting in Harrisburg on Friday.
Addressing the most high-profile drilling issue, Lieutenant Governor and commission chair Jim Cawley said a severance tax is “off the table,” but noted the group will weigh the need for some sort of impact fee to address infrastructure damage. “If identifiable impacts to local government are enumerated, and there is costs that go with that, the governor has charged us with seeing ways in which we could help local governments meet those impacts,” he said.
A public comment period at the end of Friday’s meeting highlighted how divisive the drilling issue has become. Some of the speakers praised drilling’s economic impact on rural communities. Bradford County Commissioner Doug McLinko, a Republican, said drilling has contributed to “climate change” in his county. “The climate is, family farms are being saved. Shops – mom and pops are seeing so much prosperity that they’ve never seen before. You know, there’s the local impacts. There’s good and bad with everything, but as far as job creation, we led the state,” he said.
Nathan Sooy of Clean Water Action said drilling’s potential dangers, including water contamination, has caused environmental groups to beef up, as well. “You guys are creating jobs in my industry. There are more and more jobs to keep track of you guys. And I just wanted to let you know that,” he said. Other speakers questioned the panel’s pro-drilling makeup – a third of its members have ties to the energy industry – with one woman calling its members “cheerleaders” for extraction.
The day’s most emotional comments came from Wyoming County resident Joanne Fiorito, who told the commission drilling has “taken my American dream and ripped it apart.” “You haven’t seen the last of [me],” she said.
The commission holds its next meeting April 27th.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Local Environmental Groups Challenge Sewer Authorities
The Clean Water Action group along with Three Rivers Waterkeeper have joined in legal action against two sewer authorities in the region who have flushed unfiltered wastewater into the Monongahela River watershed.
The clean water environmental groups filed notice in federal court in Pittsburgh of their intent to sue the Municipal Authority of McKeesport and the Franklin Township Sewer Authority. The plaintiffs claim McKeesport’s wastewater goes directly into the Mon River and Franklin Township’s enters the 10-mile Creek which is a tributary of the river.
Steve Hvozdovich, Marcellus Shale policy associate for the CWA, says the main concern of this wastewater being dumped in the rivers is the chance that hazardous chemicals from the drilling sites will contaminate drinking water.
“The biggest concern is that the chemicals, metals and salts that these treatment facilities cannot properly remove will affect the quality of the Monongahela River which will ultimately affect the drinking water quality for nearly a million people in the Allegheny County area,” Hvozdovich says.
The groups are aiming to stall these authorities from accepting wastewater until the proper filtration machines can be installed. Hvozdovich also points out that the facilities need to acquire permits and hear public input on whether accepting wastewater should continue, something both McKeesport and Franklin Township have failed to do.
The groups hope the lawsuit deters other sewer authorities in the region from taking drilling wastewater in the future.
The clean water environmental groups filed notice in federal court in Pittsburgh of their intent to sue the Municipal Authority of McKeesport and the Franklin Township Sewer Authority. The plaintiffs claim McKeesport’s wastewater goes directly into the Mon River and Franklin Township’s enters the 10-mile Creek which is a tributary of the river.
Steve Hvozdovich, Marcellus Shale policy associate for the CWA, says the main concern of this wastewater being dumped in the rivers is the chance that hazardous chemicals from the drilling sites will contaminate drinking water.
“The biggest concern is that the chemicals, metals and salts that these treatment facilities cannot properly remove will affect the quality of the Monongahela River which will ultimately affect the drinking water quality for nearly a million people in the Allegheny County area,” Hvozdovich says.
The groups are aiming to stall these authorities from accepting wastewater until the proper filtration machines can be installed. Hvozdovich also points out that the facilities need to acquire permits and hear public input on whether accepting wastewater should continue, something both McKeesport and Franklin Township have failed to do.
The groups hope the lawsuit deters other sewer authorities in the region from taking drilling wastewater in the future.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Radiation Levels Normal in 7 PA Rivers
A week after the New York Times reported high levels of radioactivity in natural gas drilling wastewater, the Department of Environmental Protection has released data from tests monitoring Pennsylvania rivers.
Studies conducted in November and December in seven Pennsylvania rivers, including the Allegheny, the Monongahela, the Beaver and the Conemaugh, show “normal” or below-average levels of radiation. “Here are the facts,” said acting DEP Secretary Michael Krancer in a statement. “All samples were at or below background levels of radioactivity; and all samples showed levels below the federal drinking water standard for Radium 226 and 228.”
The results come nine days after the high-profile New York Times story which warned waste treatment facilities don’t have the capacity to remove radon and other elements from drilling wastewater. “… [C]oncern is based partly on a 2009 study, never made public, written by an E.P.A. consultant who concluded that some sewage treatment plants were incapable of removing certain drilling waste contaminants and were probably violating the law,” wrote the paper. “The Times also found never-reported studies by the E.P.A. and a confidential study by the drilling industry that all concluded that radioactivity in drilling waste cannot be fully diluted in rivers and other waterways.”
DEP conducted tests after the Times first contacted DEP about radiation concerns, according to the initial article.
Earlier on Monday, before the results were released, former DEP Secretary John Hanger told WITF-FM that radiation concerns are overblown. “The radioactivity that comes – that it is in the wastewater is a result of coming into contact with those elements naturally. They’re in the ground, and there’s a certain amount of radioactivity associated with the ground,” he said. “There is a lot of information. There’s been a lot of review. I understand the sort of - the dramatic effect of the word “radiation” and “drinking water.” And we don’t need to argue about this. Let’s get the results of the test. It’s underway. I think they should be testing everywhere.”
Hanger said DEP took a hard look at radiation levels during his tenure, and concluded it wasn’t a threat. Among the questions asked, he said, were, “Do these numbers pose a threat to gas drilling workers? The answer was no. Do they pose a threat to anybody who transports the materials – truck drivers? The answer was no. do these numbers pose a threat to anybody who processes the water at a plant? The answer was no. And then last and most importantly, do these numbers post a threat to our drinking water and the public? And the answer was no.” He’s criticized the Times report at his blog, johnhanger.blogspot.com.
Two western Pennsylvania water suppliers, the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority and the Pennsylvania American Water Company, are conducting their own radiological tests, as well.
Studies conducted in November and December in seven Pennsylvania rivers, including the Allegheny, the Monongahela, the Beaver and the Conemaugh, show “normal” or below-average levels of radiation. “Here are the facts,” said acting DEP Secretary Michael Krancer in a statement. “All samples were at or below background levels of radioactivity; and all samples showed levels below the federal drinking water standard for Radium 226 and 228.”
The results come nine days after the high-profile New York Times story which warned waste treatment facilities don’t have the capacity to remove radon and other elements from drilling wastewater. “… [C]oncern is based partly on a 2009 study, never made public, written by an E.P.A. consultant who concluded that some sewage treatment plants were incapable of removing certain drilling waste contaminants and were probably violating the law,” wrote the paper. “The Times also found never-reported studies by the E.P.A. and a confidential study by the drilling industry that all concluded that radioactivity in drilling waste cannot be fully diluted in rivers and other waterways.”
DEP conducted tests after the Times first contacted DEP about radiation concerns, according to the initial article.
Earlier on Monday, before the results were released, former DEP Secretary John Hanger told WITF-FM that radiation concerns are overblown. “The radioactivity that comes – that it is in the wastewater is a result of coming into contact with those elements naturally. They’re in the ground, and there’s a certain amount of radioactivity associated with the ground,” he said. “There is a lot of information. There’s been a lot of review. I understand the sort of - the dramatic effect of the word “radiation” and “drinking water.” And we don’t need to argue about this. Let’s get the results of the test. It’s underway. I think they should be testing everywhere.”
Hanger said DEP took a hard look at radiation levels during his tenure, and concluded it wasn’t a threat. Among the questions asked, he said, were, “Do these numbers pose a threat to gas drilling workers? The answer was no. Do they pose a threat to anybody who transports the materials – truck drivers? The answer was no. do these numbers pose a threat to anybody who processes the water at a plant? The answer was no. And then last and most importantly, do these numbers post a threat to our drinking water and the public? And the answer was no.” He’s criticized the Times report at his blog, johnhanger.blogspot.com.
Two western Pennsylvania water suppliers, the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority and the Pennsylvania American Water Company, are conducting their own radiological tests, as well.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
City Council Reacts to Possible Drinking Water Contamination From Marcellus Shale Drilling
A recent news report in the New York Times identified western Pennsylvania as the "epicenter of contamination" from radiation in hydraulic fracturing wastewater, which is often sent to treatment plants incapable of removing it before releasing it into waterways.
City Council today unanimously approved a resolution calling for drinking water suppliers (the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority on the Allegheny River and Penn American Water on the Monongahela) to begin testing immediately and to continue the tests regularly.
Councilman Doug Shields says drilling companies are putting lives at risk for their own profit, and Councilman Bill Peduto says it will be an economic catastrophe as well if our air and water are not clean because no one will want to live here or do business here.
Senator Bob Casey and Congressman Edward Markey have also asked for testing and disclosure.
City Council today unanimously approved a resolution calling for drinking water suppliers (the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority on the Allegheny River and Penn American Water on the Monongahela) to begin testing immediately and to continue the tests regularly.
Councilman Doug Shields says drilling companies are putting lives at risk for their own profit, and Councilman Bill Peduto says it will be an economic catastrophe as well if our air and water are not clean because no one will want to live here or do business here.
Senator Bob Casey and Congressman Edward Markey have also asked for testing and disclosure.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Water An Economic Opportunity, Says Report
The Pittsburgh World Environment Day Partnership released a report assessing the region's capacity to become a leader in water and water-related industries. With the region's rivers and rainfall, it has a tremendous advantage in becoming a leader in these industries, the report says.
Jerry Paytas, Vice President of Research and Analytics at Fourth Economy says because water is used every day, it hasn't always been thought of as an industry. The renewable resource is increasingly used in industries such as food production and gas drilling.
On a global basis, water availability is expected to change in the next few decades due to expanding populations, people not necessarily clustering in places where water is plentiful and climate change. Paytas says this makes Pittsburgh poised to become a leader in this industry.
Jeanne VanBriesen, Director of the Water Quality in Urban Environment Systems at Carnegie Mellon says water can be seen as what the next stage in Pittsburgh industries will look like. "We've been an extraction-focused region for a long time with our oil, and our coal and now our natural gas. And really determining what the region is doing in terms of this renewable resource has been a challenge we're really interested to take on," she said.
The report says there are more than 3,000 firms with nearly 3.5 billion in sales in the water-related sectors in the region. They recommend Southwest Pennsylvania develop a Water Cluster Consortium and develop more efficient uses of water for energy, industry and agriculture.
Jerry Paytas, Vice President of Research and Analytics at Fourth Economy says because water is used every day, it hasn't always been thought of as an industry. The renewable resource is increasingly used in industries such as food production and gas drilling.
On a global basis, water availability is expected to change in the next few decades due to expanding populations, people not necessarily clustering in places where water is plentiful and climate change. Paytas says this makes Pittsburgh poised to become a leader in this industry.
Jeanne VanBriesen, Director of the Water Quality in Urban Environment Systems at Carnegie Mellon says water can be seen as what the next stage in Pittsburgh industries will look like. "We've been an extraction-focused region for a long time with our oil, and our coal and now our natural gas. And really determining what the region is doing in terms of this renewable resource has been a challenge we're really interested to take on," she said.
The report says there are more than 3,000 firms with nearly 3.5 billion in sales in the water-related sectors in the region. They recommend Southwest Pennsylvania develop a Water Cluster Consortium and develop more efficient uses of water for energy, industry and agriculture.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Volunteers Enlisted to Watch Shale Activity
The Fayette County based Mountain Watershed Association is teaming up with several other environmental groups in an effort to put an army of volunteers into the Youghiogheny watershed to keep an eye on Marcellus shale drilling activities. Association Organizer Veronica Coptis says currently there is very little drilling activity in the watershed but several permit applications have been field and many have been approved.
The “Marcellus Citizen Stewardship Project” will train volunteers through a series of classes. Among the topics on the agenda; understanding the permitting process to help volunteers track when wells are coming to their area, ways to detect pollution using your eyes, ears and nose, how to document violations and file complaints, and basic safety training. “We want to make sure no one gets hurt doing this,” says Coptis. The volunteers will also get training on what all those water trucks are doing down by the creeks, streams and rivers. “They will be able to tell the difference between if a truck is withdrawing water from a stream or dumping water in a stream, to know what is allowed by regulation, what is an illegal pollution activity, and how to follow through with a complaint so action is taken,” says Coptis”
Volunteers will be asked to head to the same site at least once a week. “By having them visit the same site, they can notice trends,” says Coptis, “which companies are operating at a better standard and which companies are operating not at the same standard.”
The Yough watershed covers portions of Fayette, Westmorland and Somerset Counties with Ohiopyle as its centerpiece. Coptis says the Watershed was negatively impacted by coal mining and abandon mine drainage in the past and has made a nice recovery and is now a great recreational asset. She says the goal is to make sure the quality of the waterway is preserved or improved now that Marcellus extraction has come to the region. If the effort is successful, Coptis hopes to expand the effort to other watersheds. She says the DEP does not have enough personnel to be at every drill site and the department needs extra feet on the ground.
The “Marcellus Citizen Stewardship Project” will train volunteers through a series of classes. Among the topics on the agenda; understanding the permitting process to help volunteers track when wells are coming to their area, ways to detect pollution using your eyes, ears and nose, how to document violations and file complaints, and basic safety training. “We want to make sure no one gets hurt doing this,” says Coptis. The volunteers will also get training on what all those water trucks are doing down by the creeks, streams and rivers. “They will be able to tell the difference between if a truck is withdrawing water from a stream or dumping water in a stream, to know what is allowed by regulation, what is an illegal pollution activity, and how to follow through with a complaint so action is taken,” says Coptis”
Volunteers will be asked to head to the same site at least once a week. “By having them visit the same site, they can notice trends,” says Coptis, “which companies are operating at a better standard and which companies are operating not at the same standard.”
The Yough watershed covers portions of Fayette, Westmorland and Somerset Counties with Ohiopyle as its centerpiece. Coptis says the Watershed was negatively impacted by coal mining and abandon mine drainage in the past and has made a nice recovery and is now a great recreational asset. She says the goal is to make sure the quality of the waterway is preserved or improved now that Marcellus extraction has come to the region. If the effort is successful, Coptis hopes to expand the effort to other watersheds. She says the DEP does not have enough personnel to be at every drill site and the department needs extra feet on the ground.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Council to Review Water Subsidies in New Year
The Pittsburgh City Council will hold a pair of Post Agenda meetings in January to hear from the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority and the Pennsylvania American Water Company on the merits of ending the water rate subsidy for city residents served by Penn American. For more than 50 years the city has been making payments to various water companies serving areas of the city to the south and west of the Mon River. The subsidies lowered rates in those neighborhoods to equal the rates paid by city water customers. Councilman Patrick Dowd, who serves on the PWSA board, has introduced legislation in City Council to end the subsidy. “There is absolutely no reason why [a public entity] should be providing dollars to a private company,” says Dowd.
Council members whose districts are served by Penn American quickly came out against the idea saying many of their constituents cannot afford the higher rates. Dowd counters that his goal is not to raise rates, “I want to see those rates come down and I think first and foremost they should come down by the PWSA providing that water.” Dowd admits that there is no way to force Penn American Water Company to sell its system in the city to the PWSA. He says he hopes that ending the subsidy will be the first step to getting a deal done and he hopes those issues will be addressed in the hearings.
Council will hold two hearings on the bill. “We want to make sure that the company, Penn American, has an opportunity to talk unencumbered,” says Dowd, “I’m trying to be fair so I want to give them a chance to come in and say here is our story.” He says that should give council members a chance to think about all the issues involved. Pennsylvania American Water Company will go before the council January 11th at 1:30p.m. and the PWSA will go before council January 18th at 1:30p.m.
The contract between the PWSA and Pennsylvania American Water Company is up for its yearly renewal in February. Dowd says he is in favor of renewing the contract in 2011 but not in 2012. The legislation calls for the Mayor’s office to give notice to Penn American in August of 2011 that the city will not renew the contact in 2012. “We have a lot of time to think about that, we have a lot of time to talk to the private company, to talk to the PWSA, we have a lot of time to work on this. Its not like we are on a fast track here. We are trying to solve the problem long term.”
Penn American officials have said they look forward to serving the residents of the city for decades to come.
Council members whose districts are served by Penn American quickly came out against the idea saying many of their constituents cannot afford the higher rates. Dowd counters that his goal is not to raise rates, “I want to see those rates come down and I think first and foremost they should come down by the PWSA providing that water.” Dowd admits that there is no way to force Penn American Water Company to sell its system in the city to the PWSA. He says he hopes that ending the subsidy will be the first step to getting a deal done and he hopes those issues will be addressed in the hearings.
Council will hold two hearings on the bill. “We want to make sure that the company, Penn American, has an opportunity to talk unencumbered,” says Dowd, “I’m trying to be fair so I want to give them a chance to come in and say here is our story.” He says that should give council members a chance to think about all the issues involved. Pennsylvania American Water Company will go before the council January 11th at 1:30p.m. and the PWSA will go before council January 18th at 1:30p.m.
The contract between the PWSA and Pennsylvania American Water Company is up for its yearly renewal in February. Dowd says he is in favor of renewing the contract in 2011 but not in 2012. The legislation calls for the Mayor’s office to give notice to Penn American in August of 2011 that the city will not renew the contact in 2012. “We have a lot of time to think about that, we have a lot of time to talk to the private company, to talk to the PWSA, we have a lot of time to work on this. Its not like we are on a fast track here. We are trying to solve the problem long term.”
Penn American officials have said they look forward to serving the residents of the city for decades to come.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Water Director Quits
Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) executive director Michael Kenney resigned Friday ahead of a report expected to detail his personal ties to a vendor providing line insurance to PWSA customers. Kenney did not give a reason for his resignation that took effect immediately. The PWSA this year began charging customers $5 dollars a month for water and sewer line insurance. The coverage is provided by Utility Line Security of Forest Hills. Kenney once worked with the founder of Utility Line and some stakeholders in Utility Line are also associated with Utilishield, where Kenney once held an ownership interest. The monthly charge is automatically added to bills unless customers "opt out." That arrangement has received widespread criticism and prompted a lawsuit.
Stephen Simcic, a the PWSA's director of finance, and Tom Palmosina, director of water operations, were appointed by the board as co-interim directors. Simcic told DUQ that the opt out line insurance will probably not change, at least for now.....
"At this particular time, I don't expect that to happen. But I would have to tell you, there are still some ongoing discussions taking place, and until I hear more on that, I would have to hold off on final comment."
Meantime, bills will be going up for PWSA customers. The board approved a 7.7% increase in the water and sewage rate and a 2% boost in the Distribution Infrastructure Service Charge, a maintenance fee. Simcic says the rate increases are due mainly to higher overall costs.
The average residential customer will be paying $4.15 more per month.
Stephen Simcic, a the PWSA's director of finance, and Tom Palmosina, director of water operations, were appointed by the board as co-interim directors. Simcic told DUQ that the opt out line insurance will probably not change, at least for now.....
"At this particular time, I don't expect that to happen. But I would have to tell you, there are still some ongoing discussions taking place, and until I hear more on that, I would have to hold off on final comment."
Meantime, bills will be going up for PWSA customers. The board approved a 7.7% increase in the water and sewage rate and a 2% boost in the Distribution Infrastructure Service Charge, a maintenance fee. Simcic says the rate increases are due mainly to higher overall costs.
The average residential customer will be paying $4.15 more per month.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Testing The Waters
The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority in conjunction with The University of Pittsburgh Schools of Engineering is conducting studies on the region's drinking water.
Recent tests have shown rising levels of contaminants. There have been trihalomethanes or THM's over the past couple months. Those are formed when bromides combine with chlorine. Bromide is a naturally occurring substance in the soil. But it can come from other sources as well such as coal fired power plants, mine drainage discharges or oil and gas wastewater.
In high quantities and over long periods of time, THM’s can cause damage to the liver, kidney and central nervous system.
Researchers have been testing the Allegheny River, The Conemaugh River, The Kiskiminetas River and some of the small streams that feed into those. Stanley States, The Director of Water Quality and Production for the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority says other factors could be at play such as more tropical weather in the summer months which creates more algae in the river. Although the levels of bromide are higher, the water is still drinkable.
"What would have to occur is over a period of time that we continue seeing elevated bromide concentrations that translate into elevated disinfected biproducts and then at that point this may significantly impair the quality of the water, it may be a compliance issue too," said States.
Recent tests have shown rising levels of contaminants. There have been trihalomethanes or THM's over the past couple months. Those are formed when bromides combine with chlorine. Bromide is a naturally occurring substance in the soil. But it can come from other sources as well such as coal fired power plants, mine drainage discharges or oil and gas wastewater.
In high quantities and over long periods of time, THM’s can cause damage to the liver, kidney and central nervous system.
Researchers have been testing the Allegheny River, The Conemaugh River, The Kiskiminetas River and some of the small streams that feed into those. Stanley States, The Director of Water Quality and Production for the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority says other factors could be at play such as more tropical weather in the summer months which creates more algae in the river. Although the levels of bromide are higher, the water is still drinkable.
"What would have to occur is over a period of time that we continue seeing elevated bromide concentrations that translate into elevated disinfected biproducts and then at that point this may significantly impair the quality of the water, it may be a compliance issue too," said States.
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