PA Environment Digest Blog: DEP: Complaint Inspection Finds Slope Failure, Erosion & Sedimentation Violations Along Equitrans Water SVC (PA) LLC [EQT] Shale Gas Water Pipeline In Washington County

On September 16 & 18, 2026, DEP inspected the Equitrans Water SVC (PA) LLC [EQT] NIMCH006 shale gas water pipeline in response to a complaint and found a slope failure and multiple erosion and sedimentation violations along its route in Union Township, Washington County.

The September 16 inspection focused on the complaint of a slope failure into a stream along the pipeline route.

DEP found the slope failure and erosion washed sediment into the stream. Materials used in plantings on the slope were washed downstream approximately 60 feet and off the permit area.

Click Here for the DEP inspection report + photos.

The September 18 inspection focused on other nearby areas on the pipeline route and found multiple erosion and sedimentation violations and wash out areas.

Click Here for the DEP inspection report + photos.

Multiple violations were issued in each inspection report and a response was requested by October 7.

All reports of slope failures along pipeline routes are taken seriously because a slope failure in the right place can put stress on a pipeline and cause it to rupture as has happened in Pennsylvania.

This one did not.

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.

(Photo: Row 1- Slope failure into stream, sediment washed downstream; Row 2-- Washout along the right-of-way and pipeline route inspected.)

[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 Snapshot - September 19 to 25 [PaEN]

-- DEP Issues Violations To Mifflin Energy Resources LLC For Abandoning, Not Plugging 6 Conventional Oil & Gas Wells In Greene County [PaEN]

-- DEP: Tank Truck Releases Contaminated Water On Access Road Leading To EQT ARO LLC DCNR Shale Gas Well Pad In Lycoming County [PaEN]

-- DEP: Complaint Inspection Finds Slope Failure, Erosion & Sedimentation Violations Along Equitrans Water SVC (PA) LLC [EQT] Shale Gas Water Pipeline In Washington County [PaEN]