PA Environment Digest Blog: DEP - Day 62: Contaminated Water Releases, Polluted Soil At Multiple Locations At Equitrans Water SVC [EQT] Richter Shale Gas Water Impoundment; Little Cleanup Happening In Greene County

On August 18, 2026, the Department of Environmental Protection did a compliance evaluation of the Equitrans Water SVC (PA LLC [EQT] Richter Shale Gas Water Impoundment spill site and found evidence of continuing contaminated water releases and a failure to advance remediate at the site in Aleppo Township, Greene County.

In four inspection reports, DEP documented the failure of Equitrans [EQT] to comply with the cleanup order issued on June 30, 2026 to prevent the migration of contaminated water off site and from reaching ground or surface water from the pipeline release at the site on June 17. Read more here.

Inspection Report #1 found--

-- Multiple field conductivity readings showed elevated levels of contamination at the former vault area that was the original location of the release on June 17, including in soils roughly 20 feet below the surface.

-- A spring water seep along the slope of the vault had elevated readings.

-- No additional remediation was done at the contaminated dewatering location for the impoundment.

-- Excavation continues to fill in impoundment hole, field tests of the fill slope material being used found no elevated conductivity readings.

Inspection Report #2 found--

-- Contaminated fluid removal from the rain garden retention area was on hold.

-- A pond at the site was actively overflowing and discharging contaminated fluid down an access road.

-- The pond water is overflowing into a ponded area behind a new beaver dam built on top of disturbed soils and on top of pipes used to collect contaminated water.

Inspection Report #3 found--

-- Elevated conductivity readings were found in a tributary to South Fork Dunkard Fork Creek.

-- Elevated readings were found in another spring water seek along the creek and at multiple seeps and other areas.

Inspection Report #4 noted DEP “collected samples from several surrounding locations potentially impacted from the spill” on August 18, but locations were not identified.

The inspection reports included dozens of photos documenting the continuing problems at the site.

DEP continued the violation issued August 11, 2026 related to failing to comply with the June 30, 2026 order to cleanup the site.

No specific followup was requested from Equitrans, but copies of the inspection reports were sent to the company.

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: Row 1-- Contaminated water removal at rain garden on hold; Pond overflowing with contaminated water onto access road; No remediation at dewatering impoundment area; Row 2-- Pond scum from overflow; Newly constructed beaver dam blocking contaminated water flow; Filling in impoundment hole.)

[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.]

Resource Links:

-- DEP - Day 47: Equitrans Water SVC [EQT] Remediation Of Richter Shale Gas Water Impoundment Release Appears To Be At A Stand Still In Greene County [PaEN]

-- DEP - Day 33: Equitrans Water SVC [EQT] Fails To Comply With Order To Prevent Migration Of Contaminated Water Release Offsite At Richter Shale Gas Water Impoundment In Greene County [PaEN]

-- DEP: Equitrans Water SVC Reports Wastewater Release From Pipeline Connected To Richter Shale Gas Water Impoundment During Reclamation In Aleppo Twp., Greene County; Drainage Pipes Held Together By Duct Tape [PaEN]

-- DEP: Equitrans Water SVC LLC [EQT] Suffers Another Contaminated Water Release From Buried Shale Gas Wastewater Pipeline In Aleppo Twp., Greene County [PaEN]

Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Snapshot:

-- Middle Susquehanna RiverKeeper: DEP Considering ‘Alternative Enforcement Measures’ To Assure Cleanup Of Eureka Resources Oil & Gas Wastewater Treatment Plants In Lycoming, Bradford Counties [PaEN]

-- DEP - Day 62: Contaminated Water Releases, Polluted Soil At Multiple Locations At Equitrans Water SVC [EQT] Richter Shale Gas Water Impoundment; Little Cleanup Happening In Greene County [PaEN]

-- DEP - Day 41: Remediation, Collection Of Contaminated Water Continues At Loan Asset Issuer Shale Gas Water Pipeline Release Site In Washington County [PaEN]

-- DEP: Diversified Production LLC Contaminated Water Pipeline Release Pollutes Farm Field In Indiana County [PaEN]

-- DEP: Routine Inspection Finds ‘Significant’ Release Of Contaminated Water From Conventional Oil & Gas Wells Pollutes Hillside In Warren County [PaEN]

-- DEP: Iron Cumberland LLC Conventional Well Plugging Results On Subsurface Release Of Cement Into Hargus Creek In Greene County [PaEN]