The wastewater release traveled approximately 1,770 feet from the Bittinger 4 well, down drainage swales, across an ATV trail and into unnamed tributaries to Brokenstraw Creek, according to DEP’s inspection report.
Conductivity measurements in the tributary found the release was still impacting the tributary with measurements upstream of the point it entered the tributary at 130 uS/cm compared to readings downstream on the entry point at greater than 1,000 uS/cm, according to DEP’s inspection.
Photos in the inspection report showed no effort was made by the well owner to contain or clean up the release at the time of the inspection.
There was no indication when the spill happened or what quantity of wastewater was released.
A second DEP inspector reported the injection well was not operating at the time of the inspection, but pressure was being maintained.
DEP’s inspection report noted it appeared a valve and tubing had been replaced on the wellhead.
DEP’s inspector contacted Bear Lake Properties, LLC to “request that the source and extent of the release be identified to prevent further pollution.”
The company "agreed to meet with Department officials early next week [this week] to review the release."
Click Here for a copy of DEP’s inspection report.
Discovery
DEP’s inspector found standing water with high conductivity levels around the floor of the shed housing the conventional injection well, including on the floor liner and in bare earth.
The spill traveled off the edge of the gravel well pad killing vegetation along its route. Exposed soil was still wet despite the lack of rain for about 70 feet. High conductivity levels were measured.
More dead vegetation and bare soils were evident down swales leading away from the injection well for 250 feet that clearly showed how the release traveled downhill and away from the well.
The release then crossed an ATV trail traveling another 250 feet. Standing water with high conductivity was found in a drainage swale beyond the trail
The wastewater continued 500 more feet and into an unnamed tributary of Brokenstraw Creek.
Traveling another 700 feet, the release went into another unnamed tributary that ultimately entered Brokenstraw Creek.
Conductivity readings upstream of where the release entered the second unnamed tributary were found to be 130 uS/cm compared to readings downstream on the entry point at greater than 1,000 uS/cm.
Violations
DEP’s inspection report included violations for failing to notify DEP of the spill, multiple violations related to the release itself and for causing pollution.
DEP requested the well owner to submit a plan by November 12, 2024 on how the well site will be cleaned up and brought into compliance.
Visit DEP’s Underground Injection Control Wells webpage for more information on oil and gas wastewater injection wells.
Report Violations
To report oil and gas violations or any environmental emergency or complaint, visit DEP’s Environmental Complaint webpage.
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.
(Photos: Row 1-- Standing water around injection well; dead vegetation along path of release; standing contaminated water in drainage swale; Row 2-- wastewater crossed an ATV trail; the Bittinger 4 conventional injection well.)
[Note: If you believe your company was listed in error, contact DEP’s Oil and Gas Program.]
[Note: These may not be all the NOVs issued to oil and gas companies during this time period. Additional inspection reports may be added to DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database.]
PA Oil & Gas Industry Public Notice Dashboards:
-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - October 26 [PaEN]
-- DEP Posted 78 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In October 26 PA Bulletin [PaEN]
[Posted: October 29, 2024] PA Environment Digest
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