Three Rivers Waterkeeper and Upper Chartiers Creek Watershed Association are represented by Appalachian Mountain Advocates.
Discharge monitoring reports submitted by Pennsylvania Transformer Technology, LLC to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection between March 2021 and the present show that Pennsylvania Transformer Technology has repeatedly violated and continues to violate numerous numeric effluent limitations, analytical standards, and monitoring and reporting requirements applicable to discharges from multiple outfalls, directly impacting Chartiers Creek in the Upper Ohio Watershed.
The Creek is listed as impaired for aquatic life and fish consumption by DEP, which has identified PCBs as a source of impairment.
PCBs are a group of man-made organic chemicals consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and chlorine.
Because of their chemical stability, heat resistance, and excellent electrical insulating properties, they were widely used in industrial and commercial applications like electrical transformers, coolants, and hydraulic fluids.
They do not readily break down and accumulate in the food chain, and exposure is linked to cancer, as well as immune, reproductive, and nervous system damage.
Commercial manufacturing and importation of PCBs were banned in the U.S. by the US EPA in 1979. Globally, they are heavily restricted by the Stockholm Convention on POPs.
“These toxic chemicals are being discharged into Chartiers Creek at exceptionally high levels and then flows into the Ohio River which provides drinking water to 5 million people, a recreational source for many, and critical habitat for a variety of plants and animals. We want to stop this ongoing harm as quick as possible and protect our communities and aquatic ecosystems from a toxic contaminate” said Dr. Heather Hulton VanTassel, Executive Director, Three Rivers Waterkeeper.
This notice is based on publicly available information, including discharge monitoring reports submitted by Pennsylvania Transformer.
Relying on those reports and other related documents, Three Rivers Waterkeeper and Upper Chartiers Creek Watershed Association have identified numerous apparent violations of the Permit and applicable provisions of the Clean Water Act and the Clean Streams Law.
The purpose of this notice is to identify those apparent violations and to provide an opportunity for these issues to be addressed during the statutory notice period.
"We work to restore and protect Chartiers Creek and believe no one should have to worry about toxic chemicals threatening the health of this watershed, or the people who live, work, and recreate along it," said Virginia McAnulty, President of the Upper Chartiers Creek Watershed Association. "We hope this action results in lasting protections so future generations can enjoy a cleaner, healthier creek and the many benefits it provides to our communities."
Chartiers Creek flows north and east from the center of Washington County into the center of Allegheny County. It discharges into the Ohio River at McKees Rocks, PA.
The upper portion of the watershed in Washington County is not considered to be a navigable waterway of the United States.
The size of the Upper Chartiers Creek Watershed is approximately 139 square miles. It is the most developed of the watersheds in the County, yet agriculture is still a major land use activity.
While Chartiers Creek Watershed had an abundance of rich natural resources, decades of use, abuse, and development have degraded the environment and impaired Chartiers Creek.
Nevertheless, hope remains high for the future of Chartiers Creek.
Three Rivers Waterkeeper and Upper Chartiers Creek Watershed Association want this notice letter to lead to the protection of a highly used creek from future harm of a highly toxic chemical.
Click Here for a copy of the intent to sue.
Visit the Three Rivers Waterkeeper and Upper Chartiers Creek Watershed Association websites for more information on water quality and other issues impacting the watershed.
Visit the Appalachian Mountain Advocates websites to learn more about their initiatives.
[Posted: July 28, 2026] PA Environment Digest
No comments :
Post a Comment