MARIANNA, Pa. (AP) - The state Department of Environmental Protection says Range Resources will likely be sent a violation notice and fined for drilling wastewater that leaked out of an impoundment pond in southwestern Pennsylvania.
The drilling firm contacted the DEP when workers who were inspecting and upgrading the pond on Wednesday discovered a hole in the pond’s liner and contaminated soil beneath it in Amwell Township.
Range spokesman Matt Pitzarella said the wastewater from hydraulic fracturing amounts to salt water and hasn’t threatened drinking water or the environment.
DEP spokesman Jon Poister says the agency is trying to determine how much water leaked, though an inspector has already determined it was a “significant” leak.
Poister and Pitzarella say Range has hired a consulting firm to advise it how to dig up the contaminated soil and otherwise clean up the site.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.