DEP reports normal water tests
HARRISBURG – The state Department of Environmental Protection has announced results of in-stream water quality monitoring for radioactive material in seven of the state’s rivers, including the Monongahela River, and all samples showed levels at or below the normal naturally occurring background levels of radioactivity.
The tests were conducted in November and December at stations downstream of wastewater treatment plants that accept flow back and production water from Marcellus shale natural gas drilling.
“We deal in facts based on sound science,” said Michael Krancer, acting secretary of the DEP.
“Here are the facts: all samples were at or below background levels of radioactivity; and all samples showed levels below the federal drinking water standard for Radium 226 and 228,” the secretary reported.
Krancer said that these sampling stations were installed last fall specifically to monitor stream quality for potential impacts of Marcellus shale development.
Krancer explained that the water tested is the raw water in the river before it enters public water suppliers’ intakes where the water receives further treatment.
The river testing stations that were evaluated are the Monongahela at Charleroi in Washington County; South Fork Ten Mile Creek in Greene County; Conemaugh in Indiana County; Allegheny at Kennerdell in Venango County; Beaver in Beaver County; Tioga in Tioga County; and the West Branch of the Susquehanna in Lycoming County.
For more information about DEP, visit online at www.depweb.state.pa.us or call 412-442-4203.