From WNEP 16
http://www.wnep.com/wnep-wyo-water-treatment-concerns,0,5094831.story
By Jennifer Borrasso
6:34 AM EDT, October 7, 2009
Concerns over what could be dumped into the Susquehanna River as a result of natural gas drilling in our area brought people out to a public meeting Tuesday night.
A company in Wyoming County wants to build a facility near Tunkhannock that would treat and get rid of wastewater from gas drilling.
Officials with Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection held a public meeting about the proposed facility that would dump hundreds of thousands of gallons of treated wastewater each day into the Susquehanna River.
Some people we spoke with worry it's going to ruin the river.
The land near the Skyhaven Airport in Eaton Township, outside Tunkhannock may soon be the site for a facility that treats wastewater from natural gas drilling.
Officials with the DEP are reviewing a discharge permit application from North Branch Processing LLC. The DEP said the company based in Wyoming County proposes dumping up to 500,000 gallons of treated wastewater a day into the Susquehanna River.
Concerned residents packed Tunkhannock Area Middle School for the meeting held by the DEP.
"I'd like to know the effects on my skin and the fish that I get from the river that I consume once or twice a week. That's what concerns me," said Richard Fitzsimmons of Exeter Township.
"I'm afraid it's going to kill our river, the aquatic life, the vegetation, the fish. It's just too much, too fast," said Thomas Kazokas of Eaton Township.
"The Susquehanna River is going to become a dead zone and it's going to affect anything in its path," said Joanne Fiorito of Tunkhannock Township.
DEP officials heard the concerns of residents and promised they are working on tougher standards on these types of treatment plants.
"If the facility is built, it's our responsibility to inspect it, make sure it's in compliance and it operates properly," said DEP official Mark Carmon.
Getting the discharge permit from DEP is only the first step for the company. It will then need to get a permit for the construction and operation of the wastewater treatment plant. That would also come from DEP.
There is no timetable for a decision.
Copyright © 2009, WNEP-TV
Referred by Dan Hubbard at Anthracite Outfitters.
