DEP Responds To Oil Spill In Conodoguinet Creek; PA American Water Company Shuts Water Intake, Customers Asked To Conserve Water In Cumberland County

On October 17, the Department of Environmental Protection responded this morning to reports of a petroleum-type odor and sheen on the Conodoguinet Creek in Silver Spring Township, Cumberland County.

DEP responders determined the source of the leak was an underground storage tank at the Cumberland-Perry Area Career and Technical Center on Old Willow Mill Road, Mechanicsburg. The discharge to the waterway has been stopped. 

The amount of oil leaked is not known. The tank had contained 9,100 gallons of heating oil, and passed a pressurized tightness test in August.

An oily sheen is still visible on some parts of the creek. Absorbent booms are in place to assist with cleanup efforts. There have been no observed impacts to wildlife.

Pennsylvania American Water Company shut down its public water supply intake to its Silver Spring treatment plant, and issued a water conservation notice to its customers. 

DEP authorized the activation of PAWC’s interconnections with Veolia Water to assist with demand.

Customers are asked to follow the conservation notice and reduce water consumption to help reduce the strain on the PAWC system.

For more information on environmental programs in Pennsylvania, visit DEP’s website, Report Emergencies, Submit Environmental Complaints; Click Here to sign up for DEP’s newsletter; sign up for DEP’s eNotice; visit DEP’s Blog,  Like DEP on Facebook, Follow DEP on Twitter and visit DEP’s YouTube Channel.

NewsClips:

-- ABC27: Oil Spills Into Cumberland County Creek; Prompts Water Conservation Order

-- PennLive: PA American Water Mandatory Water Conservation Still In Effect Due To Oil Spill In Cumberland County

[Posted: October 17, 2023]  PA Environment Digest