X

Track changes made to this page

If you find this page useful and would like to be notified of changes made to this page, start by inputting your email below.



Privacy policy
Close this window

powered by ChangeDetection

Worstell Impoundment

Date Received Date Disposed Site Name Operator Name Permit # Coordinates Township/Municipality County Wells Served Notes
07/16/2010 11/19/2010 Worstell Impoundment – Dam Permit RANGE RESOURCES APPALACHIA LLC 95-7-60915-12 N 40° 18` 1.46", W 80° 13` 48.4" Cecil Washington 149599, 149475, 148292 Permit listed as 95-7-60915-9 in PABulletin

Controversies

News reports and public interactions highlight a 2013 controversy in lack of transparency by the DEP around the Worstell Impoundment. In a series of emails published by a state representative, Jesse White, under the Pennsylvania Open Records Law, the DEP discusses issues surrounding the Worstell Impoundment and the events surrounding a non-public “public meeting” about purported wastewater spills from the impoundment.[1] Events as discussed:

  • In 2011, two spills occur (see Violations section below), which are immediately cleaned up.
  • In a 2013 news report, it is stated that the Worstell impoundment had two spills and a leakage, though DEP representatives maintain that no soil was contaminated by a leakage.[2]
  • Public concern is heightened as groundwater testing reveals heightened levels of chloride, strontium, barium, and sodium.
  • Range Resources Appalachia representatives clarify that the spills were erroneously reported, and there was no leakage, merely a valve failure which was immediately cleaned up and did not contaminate any soil.
  • The DEP and Cecil Township representatives plan a meeting to discuss the impoundment's permits, and concerned residents of the county request to know what goes on.
  • The DEP ignores or deflects multiple emails from several concerned residents, who contact their representative, Jesse White, to request a release on their behalf. The DEP maintains a level of privacy which Representative White finds concerning.

Violation History

Violation ID Date Violation Description Status Penalty Amount Paid
610141 1/28/2011 Failure to properly control or dispose of industrial or residual waste to prevent pollution of the waters of the Commonwealth. Corrected/Abated $26,250
610142 1/28/2011 Failure to properly store, transport, process or dispose of a residual waste. Corrected/Abated $26,250

Source: PA DEP eFacts.[3]

References

  1. "Emails from PA DEP relating to Wastewater Impoundments in Washington County, PA". Jesse White on www.scribd.com. 11/17/2013. Retrieved 6/16/2014.  Check date values in: |date=, |accessdate= (help)Category:CS1 errors: dates
  2. Petsko, Emily (8/9/2013). "Future of Worstell impoundment still undetermined". Observer-Reporter. Retrieved 6/16/2014.  Check date values in: |date=, |accessdate= (help)Category:CS1 errors: dates
  3. "WORSTELL IMPOUNDMENT – DAM PERMIT". Environment Facility Application Compliance Tracking System (eFacts). Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. 2014.  Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Category:CS1 errors: datesCategory:Pages using citations with accessdate and no URL