Tributary in Trouble
Washington PA Observer Reporter
3 June 2010
By Bob Niedbala, Staff writer
niedbala@observer-reporter.com
The threat of pollution created by the Marcellus Shale gas industry has
resulted in the Monongahela River being named as one of the 10 most
endangered rivers in the nation by a Washington, D.C.-based
environmental group.
The Monongahela River was named No. 9 in "America's Most Endangered
Rivers: 2010 Edition," produced by American Rivers, an environmental
organization focusing on clean water and river protection issues.
"This is not a list of the most-polluted rivers," said Jessie
Thomas-Blate of American Rivers. "We only hope this list will bring
attention to the issues (impacting the rivers) before they do get on
the most polluted rivers in the nation list."
The rivers on the list were chosen because of the significance of the
threat they now face in regard to pollution and also because during the
coming year decisions will be made that could drastically determine
their future, she said.
The Monongahela provides drinking water for much of Southwestern
Pennsylvania, including residents of Washington and Greene counties. In
Washington County, Pennsylvania American Water Co. provides water to
173,000 people from the river. In Pittsburgh, that number jumps to
500,000, according to Josephine Posti, external affairs specialist for
PAW.
In Greene, Southwestern Pennsylvania Water Authority provides water for
6,791 residential customers.
The Mon River has been affected by the coal industry for many years.
Further problems that might be created by the Marcellus Shale gas
drilling could "send it over the top," said Emily Bloom of the Center
for Coalfield Justice.
Several times during the last two years levels of total dissolved
solids in the Mon have exceeded the federal drinking water standard of
500 milligrams per liter. The high levels led to complaints from water
customers about foul-smelling drinking water. Industrial users also
complained of equipment damage caused by the polluted water.
High levels of TDS from coal mine discharges also were found to be a
contributing factor in the fish kill on Dunkard Creek last fall when
they created conditions for the growth and toxic bloom of golden algae.
Bloom noted that several proposed changes in the law and regulations
could have a big impact on the river in the coming years. These include
proposed regulations in Pennsylvania and West Virginia that would limit
the discharge of TDS into surface waters.
The federal government also is considering legislation that would
regulate the drilling process known as hydraulic fracturing, which
earlier was exempt from regulation by the Environmental Protection
Agency, she said.
Another river being affected by natural gas drilling is the upper
Delaware River in Pennsylvania and New York. The Delaware also made the
endangered rivers list in 2007 when a power line was proposed for a
73-mile portion of New York.
The 128-mile Mon River runs north from Fairmont, W.Va., to Pittsburgh,
where it joins the Allegheny River to form the Ohio River.
Staff writer Christie Campbell contributed to this report.