PA Environment Digest Blog: DEP: Contaminated Water From EQM Gathering (EQT) Double Pipeline Construction Site Traveled Nearly 2 Football Fields From Site Of Spill In Nottingham Twp., Washington County

On October 17, 2025, the Department of Environmental Protection was notified by EQM Gathering OPCO LLC (EQT) of a contaminated water spill at the NINFS004 Pipeline construction site for two pipelines-- natural gas and water-- in Nottingham Township, Washington County.

During its October 20 inspection, DEP found water contaminated with bentonite and sediment being pumped out of a pipeline drilling entrance pit was discharged from a storage tank at the Mingo shale gas well pad as a result of a “miscommunication.”

The discharge collapsed the secondary contaminment around the tanks and traveled some 700 feet off the pipeline permit area into a drainage channel.

EQM constructed a temporary dam and collection point in the channel to stop the spill flow and pump out the contaminated water.

Remediation efforts were ongoing during the inspection.

In separate problems, DEP said a temporary access road to the pipeline construction site was “overwhelmed” with sediment after a rain event and secondary containment around fracking wastewater tanks also collapsed on the Mingo shale gas well pad.

Violations were issued. Response requested by Nov. 10. DEP inspection report.

2nd Inspection Along Same Pipeline

On the same day, DEP inspected another drilling site along the NINFS004 Pipeline construction route in Union Township, Washington County and found activities appeared to be in compliance with the Erosion and Sedimentation Control permit.

The owner had just finished drilling the borehole for the water pipeline under two streams and two roads and was preparing to start drilling for the natural gas pipeline the following week.

DEP did recommend that water levels in at least two sump areas be reduced. DEP inspection report.

Report Violations

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

Text photos and the location of abandoned wells to 717-788-8990.

Check These Resources

Visit DEP’s Compliance Reporting Database and Inspection Reports Viewer webpages to search their compliance records by date and owner.

Sign up for DEP’s eNOTICE service which sends you information on oil and gas and other permits submitted to DEP for review in your community.

Use DEP’s Oil and Gas Mapping Tool to find if there are oil and gas wells near or on your property and to find wells using latitude and longitude on well inspection reports.

(Photos: Top- Double pipeline drilling bore pit; Tank where discharge began; Bottom- Drainage channel with contaminated water; Temporary dam and contaminated water pumping area.)

[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 Weekly Compliance Dashboard - Oct. 18 to 24: 14,280 Gallon Shale Gas Wastewater Spill; 2nd Major Spill By Conventional Well Owner; Failure To Address Pipeline Slope Failure For 1,440 Days [PaEN]

-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - October 25 [PaEN]

-- DEP Posted 81 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In October 25 PA Bulletin [PaEN]