DEP found the failure of filter equipment caused the release of contaminated water from the filter building where the water was being processed at the site.
[There was no secondary containment around the filter building based on photos of the site.]
The company said an employee noticed a leak coming through the side of the filter building and when he opened the door “fluid immediately discharged onto the well pad and over the southern edge of the well pad.”
Field testing by DEP found “numerous fingers/pockets of elevated specific conductance within an approximate 30' x 100' area beyond the southern edge of the well pad where the discharged fluid that originated from the filter building ran over the edge of the well pad, given the vegetation was pushed down from the flow.
“Significant iron staining was also evident in several areas where the specific conductance was elevated.”
A second discharge point and area of impact was also discovered at the southeast corner of the well pad about 75 feet from the first discharge.
“This point of interest appears to originate from within or underneath the fill used to construct the location, as elevated specific conductance readings were not observed on the surface of the fill above where elevated readings and staining were observed at the natural elevation.”
“The impacted area beyond the well pad consists of previously delineated Exceptional Value wetlands and is partially within the floodway of an UNT of Kinzua Creek. At this time, it does not appear that the nearby UNT of Kinzua Creek has been impacted.”
Initial estimates by the company reported about 840 gallons of contaminated water were released.
Multiple violations issued. DEP requested a response by October 15.
Click Here for a copy of the DEP inspection report + photos.
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-- Filter building spill area; Inside filter building; Field testing contaminated water on pad; Row 2- Contaminated water discharge point and impacted areas.)
[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:
-- Environmental Hearing Board Denies Request To End Appeal Of Catalyst Energy, Inc. Oil & Gas Wastewater Injection Well Permit In McKean County [PaEN]
-- Environmental Hearing Board Denies Supersedeas, Allows Operation Of Catalyst Energy, Inc. Oil & Gas Wastewater Injection Well In McKean County During Appeal [PaEN]
-- Bradford Era: 7-Part Series Details Concerns Residents Of Cyclone, McKean County Have With Catalyst Energy Oil & Gas Wastewater Injection Well [PaEN]
-- 40 Individuals File Appeals, Most Handwritten, Of DEP’s Permit For Catalyst Energy Oil & Gas Wastewater Injection Well In McKean County [PaEN]
-- Marcellus Drilling News: DEP Approves Catalyst Energy Oil & Gas Wastewater Injection Well In McKean County [Jan. 26 Inspection Found Gas Bubbling From Well] [PaEN]
-- Exploding Water Well Shed Triggers DEP Investigation Of 59+ Abandoned Conventional Oil & Gas Wells In Cyclone, McKean County; Highlights Limits On Providing Temporary Water For Well Owners Impacted [PaEN]
Related Articles This Week:
-- DEP: Equipment Failure At Catalyst Energy Injection Well Results In Contaminated Water Discharges In Keating Twp., McKean County [PaEN]
-- DEP - Day 202: Ows Acquisition Co Conventional Well Site Still Discharging Contaminated Water In the City Of Hermitage, Mercer County [PaEN]
-- DEP: Pipeline Excavation Hits Conventional Oil & Gas Well Drill Cuttings Disposal Area At Eastern Gas Transmission Oakford Gas Storage Area In Westmoreland County [PaEN]
-- Marcellus Drilling News: 2 EQT Shale Gas Subsidiaries Lose Bid To Toss West Virginia Kids Health Lawsuit From Federal Court [PaEN]
[Posted: September 30, 2026] PA Environment Digest
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