DEP: More sewage could leak into watershed when pipe replacement happens on Wednesday - more details released about initial spill

​Riverkeeper note: This is an update on the ongoing story related to a sewage spill below the town of Selinsgrove in Snyder County reported on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. You can see the original story here and the first follow-up which reported a temporary fix of the pipe here.

In an update story posted by The Daily Item newspaper earlier today (Sept. 24, 2024), Northcentral PA Department of Environmental Protection spokesperson Megan Lehman admitted that additional sewage could be spilled on Wednesday when the new long-term replacement pipe is installed south of Selinsgrove.

That installation on Wednesday will also impact travel in the area according to a press release from PennDOT:

"On Wednesday, September 25, 2024, between the hours of 7:30 AM and 3:00 PM, the Route 11 southbound exit ramp to Route 35 will be closed while the contractor for Eastern Snyder County Regional Authority will be working along Route 35. A detour using Route 11 southbound to Aqueduct Road, Route 11 northbound, to Route 35 will be in place while work is being performed. Motorists should be alert, slow down, and expect delays in travel."

​Concerning the spill on Sunday, DEP released more details in the form of the following Q&A responses: 

​1. When was the break discovered? An alarm at the Eastern Snyder County Regional Authority (ESCRA) sewage treatment plant went off at approximately 6 a.m. on Sunday, September 22, indicating low levels of sewage entering the plant. The alarm caused facility staff to investigate and discover the break. 

2. Where did the break occur? A 20-inch force main ruptured prior to entering the sewage treatment plant.  The sewage discharged near the Isle of Que and entered Penns Creek, which flows into Middle Creek and the Susquehanna River. 

3. How much sewage flowing through the pipe?  The pipe has an estimated flow rate of 800 to 900 thousand gallons of sewage per day. 

4. How soon will the break be fixed?  ESCRA was able to install a wrap-around sleeve at the pipe break approximately 10:30 Sunday evening (see attached photo).  This temporary repair has stopped the discharge for now. This repair is anticipated to occur on Wednesday or Thursday of this week.  There is a possibility that additional sewage may be temporarily released during the repair process.  

5. Is sewage still flowing into the river and if not, for how long was it flowing?  The temporary fix has stopped the flow of sewage. The exact time the break began is not known. The release continued until the temporary repair was made Sunday evening.  

6. Is there any danger to public water supplies or anyone’s well water?  Public drinking water supplies are safe and may continue to be used. Drinking water systems downstream of the incident were notified, but there are no surface water intakes for public drinking water in the affected area. The next downstream public intake is in Dauphin County which is beyond the 20-mile range. To DEP’s knowledge, no private water supplies have been impacted.

7. How long should people avoid the River?  Until further notice. 

8.  What was the cause of the break?  While doing temporary repairs, ESCRA observed the ductile iron pipe to be in very poor condition at the break. The pipe’s age is estimated at 47-48 years old. ESCRA plans to work with a consultant to perform a longer-term repair of the entire section of line.

Updates from the Riverkeeper side of things: The Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association has pulled water samples from below the spill site and the Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association been collecting additional water samples, as well. Results of those tests will be released as they become available. 

If you have any questions, comments or information concerning this incident, contact the Riverkeeper directly at [email protected]