Water Quality Update
After much testing and laboratory analysis, a picture of the water quality in our area becomes clearer. By now, many people are aware of the problems with the water quality in the county. One of the biggest concerns is with the drinking water.
Several local water municipalities are having problems with Trihalomethane (THM) in their drinking water. The Marianna drinking water has shown over the limits of THM’s for most of the year. Carmichaels’ drinking water has also been in a battle with THM.
Brave and Charleroi have also been in conflict with the THM’s. To quote Shakespeare, “from where doth the problem cometh?”
After much testing and lab analysis by the Pa. Department of Environmental Protection, a picture of the origin of the bromide becomes clearer. The citizen’s water monitor system developed by the Harry Enstrom Chapter (Greene County) of the Izaak Walton League of America has been able to trace the origin of some of the problem. But before we disclose the findings, let me explain the relationship between bromide and THM.
In the current regulations, there is no standard for bromide levels that can be introduced into water systems. Bromides also are an intricate part of THM. There is a standard for THM in drinking water and that level is 80 parts per billion (ppb or ug/l). In our area, the halogen bromide is the main part of THM. It stands to reason that if you have more bromide present, you will have a better chance to create more THM.
Another point that must be expressed is that bromide is associated with the current drilling operations. In particular, Bromide seems to be mainly associated with deep well drilling operations. So in our region, these operations target the deep Marcellus shale formation for the gas.
After much testing, the bromide discharges have been traced to three sources. The first of these is the 001 discharge from Emerald Mine into Smith Creek. On June 2, 2011, the bromide reading from this discharge was 4146 ug/l, and on July 13, 2011, the bromide level was 4072 ug/l. These levels were both from discharge 001 from Emerald Mine into Smith Creek. As one can see, these levels are well above the 80 ug/l for THM in drinking water. Remember, there is no level for bromides but they do directly affect THM levels.
The discharge from bleeder shaft No. 5 from Emerald Mine was recorded on Aug. 16, 2011 was 11,015 ug/l. This is well over the 80 ug/l level. The third discharge was found at 029 at the Cumberland Mine Complex. The bromide reading was 3059 ug/l on Aug. 16, 2011. Again, the reading was well above the acceptable 80 ug/l for THM in drinking water.
The common denominator in all of these readings is that all these discharges are from Alpha Resources operated mines. Notice that these are from mining operations. All the research that I have been able to find indicates that bromide is not highly associated with mining. The question I have asked over and over is, “Where are these bromides coming from?” To date, neither the DEP, EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) or Alpha Resources have been able to answer that question. I will let you derive your own answer. At present I am trying to contact the CEO of Alpha Resources for a meeting to try and answer why the bromide levels are so high.
If one follows the flow from Emerald Bleeder No. 5 into Frosty Run and Cumberland Mine, both dump into Whiteley Creek.
Whiteley Creek dumps into the Mon River above the drinking water intakes at Carmichaels. Do you think that there is a relationship between the discharges and the water quality in Carmichaels?
I do not know, but all this information has been sent to the Harrisburg office of the DEP and to the California DEP and to the EPA. It will be up to these government organizations to resolve the situation. All I can do is wait for the outcome of this information dissemination. The scientific data is accumulating.
As always, protect the greatest natural resource — water — and give thanks to God for all of our blessings.