DEP responds to boring incident

November 17, 2011

Photo by Gian DeLoia - The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and the Department of Environmental Protection met upstream from the reservoir along Silver Creek Thursday in response to a horizontal-boring incident where bentonite spilled and flowed into the reservoir.

JOHNSONBURG – The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and the Department of Environmental Protection [DEP] responded to a site along Silver Creek, half of a mile from the reservoir Thursday morning, 48 hours after the Hunt Marcellus Operating Company reportedly leaked a large amount of bentonite into the stream, quickly making its way into the reservoir.
DEP spokesman Kevin Sunday reported an increased amount of sediment in the reservoir and a temporary spike in the turbidity following the incident.
Sunday said there was not an impact on the quality of the drinking water.
"There was a brief spike and it has gone down to normal," Sunday said. "There are no health risks associated with the incident."
Sunday said DEP will continue to monitor the operation of the site and assist the Johnsonburg Municipal Authority with any issues.
Hunt has halted work on the pipeline and will reroute away from the spot of the incident.