PA Environment Digest Blog: Week 10: Illegal Dumping Of Conventional Oil & Gas Wastewater Continues Unabated On Paved, Dirt Roads, Before It Rains, It Doesn’t Matter In Warren County

For ten weeks, Siri Lawson has taken photographs of illegal, indiscriminate dumping of conventional oil and gas wastewater on roads surrounding her home in Farmington Township, Warren County and it continues unabated.

Lindell Road, the dirt and tar-and-chip road right in front of her house, was dumped on April 4, 15, 19, 30 and May 8, 12 (Mother's Day), 26, and 28-- 8 different days.

Before April 4, Lawson said she did not have wastewater dumped on her road for more than six years after the Environmental Hearing Board case she brought a successful challenge to the DEP road dumping approval process in 2017-18. Read more here.

Wastewater has also been dumped on dirt, gravel, tar and chip and paved roads-- it didn’t matter-- on March 12, 16, 20, 26, 28, April 4, 15, 17, 19, 30, May 4, 8, 12, 15, 18, 26, 28, and 29-- 18 different days.

Lawson has been reporting all the dumping to DEP and providing photos that clearly show something is being dumped on roads surrounding her home as well as directly in front of her house.

Click Here for just some of the photos she took + a map of the area.

Lawson said conventional well owners are not just dumping on dirt and gravel roads, they are now dumping on paved roads and state roads and often just before it rains.

“I have never seen them dump on the paved roads like they're doing now. I've just never seen it,” said Lawson.

“Now, brine road dumping tends to be when rain is called for. At first, it wasn't. At first, it was right on dry pavement,” said Lawson.

Conventional well owners have just given up any pretense of using their wastewater for dust suppression on dirt roads.

Each time Lawson is exposed to wastewater dumping she has an immediate physical reaction, something the conventional owners know.

“It becomes increasingly hard to breathe. My heart goes crazy. There has been actual severe physical damage to my sinus and my lungs,” said Lawson.

“My skin burns, my mouth burns, my eyes burn.

“These are specific reactions to oil and gas waste, and it's painful. None of it is the usual allergy, sneezing and that stuff. This is painful,” said Lawson.

Lawson has been reporting all the dumping to DEP and providing copies of her photos.

Lawson most recently testified before a Senate Committee on April 17 in opposition to the road dumping of conventional wastewater. Read more here.

Report Violations

It is difficult to catch these illegal dumpers in the act. If you see something, say something!

To report oil and gas violations or any environmental emergency or complaint, visit DEP’s Environmental Complaint webpage.

(Photos: First 2 photos are Lindell Road right in front of Lawson’s home May 12 Mother’s Day; Creamery Road dumping May 15, note straight line start.)

Road Dumping Intimidation:

-- Week 10: Illegal Dumping Of Conventional Oil & Gas Wastewater Continues Unabated On Paved, Dirt Roads, Before It Rains, It Doesn’t Matter In Warren County [PaEN - 5.30.24]

-- Illegal Wastewater Dumping Continues, Even On Mothers Day, Conventional Oil & Gas Well Owners’ Campaign Of Intimidation Of Senate Witness; Now Dumping Before It Rains, On Paved Roads [PaEN - 5.14.24]

-- Two Months: Road Dumping Conventional Oil & Gas Wastewater Continues To Surround The Home Of A Senate Witness Who Opposes The Illegal Practice [PaEN - 5.7.24]

-- Road Dumping Continues At Will As Conventional Oil & Gas Well Owners Get Rid Of Their Wastewater [PaEN - 4.5.24]

-- Spring Road Dumping Season Underway As Conventional Oil & Gas Operators Get Rid Of Their Wastewater [PaEN - 3.19.24]

Resource Links - Senate Hearing:

-- Senate Hearing: The Case For An Immediate, Total Ban On Road Dumping Conventional Oil & Gas Wastewater [PaEN]

-- Senate Hearing: Penn State Expert: ‘No More Research That Needs To Be Done’ To Justify A Ban On Road Dumping Conventional Oil & Gas Wastewater [PaEN]

-- Senate Hearing: First-Hand Account Of Health, Environmental Impacts From Road Dumping Conventional Oil & Gas Wastewater - ‘Inhaling Oil & Gas Wastewater 24-Hours A Day’ [PaEN]

-- Senate Hearing: 3.5 Million Gallons Of Conventional Oil & Gas Wastewater Dumped On PA Public Roads Since DEP’s ‘Moratorium’ On Dumping Started 6 Years Ago [PaEN]

-- Senate Hearing: DEP Still Evaluating The Data On Road Dumping Conventional Oil & Gas Wastewater; Asks Public To Report Road Dumping [PaEN]