Citizen report to Riverkeeper leads to DEP pollution investigation, ongoing correction in Union County

Residue can be seen on vegetation along a small tributary of Penns Creek in Union County and water is colored by suspended solids in this May 23, 2024, image by Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper John Zaktansky.

A citizen report of potential pollution in a small Union County tributary of Penns Creek the night after a heavy rainstorm in late May led to an investigation and ongoing corrective action by a nearby business.

The morning of May 23, 2024, an individual reached out to Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper John Zaktansky the night after a big storm sharing pictures and video of a very dark, nearly black water flowing down a small waterway and through a culvert under County Line Road not too far from the intersection with Route 304. 

"I looked at that little run and it was totally black and it smelled like major sewer," the person relayed. "I can tell you one thing, it is all headed to the Penns Creek."

​By the time Zaktansky arrived later in the day, the color in the stream had changed drastically.

"I wasn't able to run over immediately when I first got the report. It was several hours later in the late afternoon/early evening and the water was no longer black, but instead a chalky tan and loaded with some sort of suspended solids. I could see residue on plants around the stream," said Zaktansky. "I made sure a formal DEP (PA Department of Environmental Protection) report was filed when I got back to the office with photos from the individual who reported it earlier along with additional images I took later in the day."

The DEP opened an investigation and traced the issue back to the Penn Dairy company located just upstream from the site where the pollution was noticed originally.

The Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association continued to keep in contact with the DEP throughout the summer months to track the progress of the situation, including taking water samples on June 4, 2024, that indicated extremely high bacteria content (samples exceeded Pace Analytical lab's 2,419.6 MPN/100mL in both total coliform and E. coli) and requesting an update that could be shared publicly when that was possible. 

A photo from the original citizen report of the late-May incident showing dark water flowing through this small tributary to the Penns Creek in Union County.

A photo taken later in the day by Riverkeeper John Zaktansky shows a change in water color and a frothy buildup in certain areas of the stream

​The following report was provided recently from DEP on the situation:

INVESTIGATION RESULTS:
Upon that investigation, DEP’s inspector determined that there was a release of sludge-like liquids created through the processing of dairy/cheese products.  DEP advised Penn Dairy with options to address the situation and bring the site into compliance with DEP’s Waste Management regulations.  

ACTIONS TAKEN:
Penn Dairy opted to install a new storage tank, which is now partially constructed. Penn Dairy has also, in consultation with DEP, taken several steps to prevent another release from the site, including evaporating most of the water from the sludge currently stored onsite; establishing grasses and using mulch and additional silt socks to prevent erosion; and creating a temporary berm to direct parking lot runoff water away from the tank construction site.  
 
AREAS OF CURRENT CONCERN:
To DEP’s knowledge, there were no impacts from the recent rains.  

CONTINUED COMPLIANCE:
DEP will continue to follow up with Penn Dairy to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to achieve long-term compliance.

"Ultimately, while it is disappointing that a pollution situation like this happened in the first place, it does illustrate the importance of what everyday people can do by being alert, monitoring the waterways in their own communities and taking action when something seems off," said Zaktansky. "You don't need a PhD in water chemistry or environmental law to make a difference – just pay attention, be curious, take notes and photos and don't be afraid to report what you find when it seems out of the ordinary."

Spills and other emergencies in the Northcentral Region should be reported immediately to DEP at 1-800-541-2050. In the Northeast Region, the number is 570-826-2511. Typically, water quality concerns should be shared via DEP's online Environmental Complaint Form.

If you have questions about that process or would like assistance with the process, you go through the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association. Contacts include:

• Executive Director John Zaktansky, with an office in Sunbury, PA. Send an email. 
• Northern Tier Regional Director Emily Shosh (Potter, Tioga, Cameron, Elk, Clinton, Lycoming counties). Send an email.
• West Branch Regional Director Andrew Bechdel (Centre, Clearfield, Elk, Cambria, Clinton, Cameron counties). Send an email.

Additionally, there are some ways to tell if certain odd waterway sites are natural or signs of pollution. You can check out the following posts to help guide you:

• Foamy facts: When is foam on our waterways natural vs. pollution? (middlesusquehannariverkeeper.org)
• Petroleum spills on our waterways: How to assess, report and reduce potential negative impacts of a spill (middlesusquehannariverkeeper.org)
• Early reports of algae in watershed spark efforts for education, action (middlesusquehannariverkeeper.org)