Save the Date – April 15th – Sewage Facilities Planning Module Webinar

DEP invites you to participate in an important upcoming webinar about Draft Technical Guidance for DEP’s review of Sewage Facilities Planning Modules for onlot sewage systems proposed in Pennsylvania’s High Quality and Exceptional Value Watersheds. 

 The proper location and management of community and individual onlot septic systems is key to safeguarding public health and Pennsylvania’s water quality resources.  The new draft technical guidance will ensure cost-effective and reasonable best management practices (BMPs) for nonpoint source control are achieved to maintain and protect water quality when reviewing sewage facilities planning modules for proposed individual or community onlot sewage systems in high quality and exceptional value watersheds. 

 During the one-hour webinar, DEP staff will describe BMPs for individual and community onlot sewage systems that can achieve nonpoint source control in High Quality and Exceptional Value waters, and review the process for selecting appropriate BMPs to achieve such control.

 The webinar will be held from 2-3 p.m., Monday April 15.  The webinar is free but registration is required.  To register, visit https://copa.webex.com/copa/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=645447507

 The Draft Technical Guidance can be found here:  http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-93420/385-2208-001.pdf   Public comments regarding the Draft Technical Guidance are due to DEP May 1. 

Some Personal Thoughts on this Proposed Policy

Water Cycle, Wellowner, Groundwater, and Pollution Prevention Workshops Available

The Carbon County Groundwater Guardians is partnering with the Pocono Northeast RC&D Council to make available a number of informational and education workshops in Pennsylvania.  The topics that are currently available include:

Groundwater and Surfacewater Interconnection and the Water Cycle
The Care and Mainteance of Your Well
Water Quality and the Need for Water Treatment
Baseline Testing as it Relates to Marcellus Shale, Shale Gas Development, or Development in Your Community
Citizen Science and the Groundwater Surfacewater Database
Taking the First Step and Getting Back to Zero with Stormwater (Rain Barrel Workshop and Water Conservation)
How to Test, Screen, and Track Well Water Quality – Interpreting Water Quality Data.

To request a workshop in your community, please email bfenviro@ptd.net and put CCGG in the subject.  Please tell us your location and the type of assistance you need.

New Booklet on Drinking Water Quality in PA – sales of booklets support groundwater education in Pennsylvania.

PADEP Proposes Antidegradation Standard for On-lot Septic Systems

PADEP Proposes antidegradation for On-lot septic systems -Sewage Facilities Planning Module Review for Onlot Sewage Systems Proposed in High Quality and Exceptional Value Watersheds – Proposed Policy – 385-2208-XXX.

POLICY: The Department will assure that cost-effective and reasonable best management practices (BMPs) for nonpoint source control are achieved to maintain and protect water quality when reviewing sewage facilities planning modules for proposed individual or community onlot sewage systems in high quality and exceptional value watersheds.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this guidance is to describe BMPs for individual and community onlot sewage systems that can achieve nonpoint source control in High Quality and Exceptional Value waters, and to provide a process to select appropriate BMPs to achieve such control.

Problem
1. Implementation – Policy says it applies to only new systems or permits, this will therefore include all existing lots not developed.  The policy also suggests it should be used for all repairs.
2. Cost to Implement- Could add up to cost of installing and maintaining septic systems in PA.
3. PADEP says the problem is because of nitrate. The only problem is that nitrates are not a problem in PA and the nitrate loading from septic systems to the stream may be only 4%.  The major sources fossil fuels, atmospheric deposition, agricultural runoff, urban runoff, and wastewater treatment plants.

Encouraging Others to learn More – My personal blog on the subject.

To review the proposed policy
PA DEP Presentation on the Policy

Marcellus Shale Coalition Guiding Principles Document

Pittsburgh, PA – The Marcellus Shale Coalition (MSC) published Recommended Practices (RP) for Water Pipelines, the sixth in a series of guidance documents aimed at further enhancing the safe development of natural gas across the Appalachian basin. This RP for constructing water pipelines is in line with the MSC’s Guiding Principles to “implement state-of-the-art environmental protection across our operations” and supports ongoing industry efforts to reduce its operational overall footprint.

“By continually implementing cutting-edge recycling technologies, water pipelines and other innovative water management practices, our industry is able to further reduce the volume of truck traffic and capitalize on environmental benefits inherent to safe development and use of natural gas,” said MSC chief executive officer Kathryn Klaber. “As Marcellus Shale development advances, and more operators build water pipeline networks to support their well operations, this guidance document will aid in the siting and construction process. Additionally, this RP builds upon a series of content-rich, member-driven guidance documents designed to raise the bar and advance our industry’s commitment to operational excellence and compliance.”

This Recommended Practice for Water Pipelines was drafted by industry professionals and provides guidance to the industry in the following areas:

Optimal Route Selection: Identify sensitive resources and minimize environmental impact.

Pipe Materials: Determine correct materials and utilize proper resources to construct pipelines.

Valves: Install appropriate valves to isolate segments of the line; allow for maintenance; and permit drainage.

Pipeline Restraints: Use restraints to prevent unwanted line movement.

Operational Considerations: Test pipelines to avoid leaks, consider any environmental consequences, monitor all lines and air venting during operations, and consider using locks, handles, protective covering, or drainage when necessary.

Deactivation: Upon completion the pipeline should be deactivated or removed in its entirety after all remaining water is removed.

Continued Klaber, “With water and water management serving a critical role in the well completion process, ensuring that water pipelines, both temporary and permanent, are constructed to the highest degree of integrity is critical for the development process, the environment and public safety.”

To view other Recommended Practices click HERE
MSC Guidance on Stray Gas

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The above is not my work – but provided as a link to information.

More on
Well Water Quality In Pennsylvania
Barium, Arsenic, Lithium, Methane
Common Well Water Problems – Helpguide
Case Studies
New Educational Tool on Drinking Water Quality

Website Provided for Educational Purpose.

Carbon County Groundwater Guardians is a 501(c)(3) IRS approved nonprofit, volunteer organization and your donation is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Fact Sheet: Methane Gas Migration and Mitigation

Methane gas has been a “hidden” problem in Northeastern Pennsylvania.  The gas is typically associated with wetlands, bogs, landfills, coal-producing formations, natural saline seeps, some glacial deposits, and gas storage areas.  Because of the development of the Marcellus Shale, the presence of methane gas and the potential for methane gas migration is a growing concern.   Methane is a colorless, odorless gas that is lighter than air.   Natural gas is mostly methane (70 – 90 % CH₄), carbon dioxide (0 to 8 % CO₂), plus other gases.  The other gases may include ethane (C₂H₆), propane (C₃H₈), butane (C₄H₁₀), and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) as well as small amounts of helium.

Methane gas is highly flammable between a lower explosion limit (LEL) of 5.53 percent by volume in air and an upper explosion limit (UEL) of 15 percent.  These percentages are equivalent to a methane concentration of 50,000 and 150,000 parts per million (ppm) in air.  The minimum concentration level at which the gas has the potential to explode is called the lower explosive limit (LEL); below the LEL level there is not enough gas to cause an explosion.  Above the UEL, there is inadequate oxygen to fuel combustion, but if the space is vented and the gas concentration drops below the UEL, the gas can become diluted enough to explode (it would require an ignition source).  Methane is not considered toxic, but it is an asphyxiant at a concentration of over 50 percent in air (it displaces oxygen).  Therefore, the primary risks for methane would be asphyxiation in a confined or poorly vented area or a potential explosion hazard.   As a safety measure, the natural gas industry adds mercaptans to the produced methane gas that enters the pipeline and your home. The mercaptans produce a very pungent odor so that gas leaks will be noticed, but unprocessed methane gas tends to have NO ODOR.  It is critical to note that some unprocessed methane gas may contain long chain hydrocarbon molecules that can create an odor.

From the available data in the Citizen Groundwater/Surfacewater Database, it would appear that the natural background level of methane in private wells in Northeastern Pennsylvania ranges from not detectable or trace levels to over 28 mg/L.  You may suspect the presence of methane gas in your water if you hear a “gurgling noise”, sputtering at the tap, the water has a lot of gas bubbles, is effervescent or fizzy.  

Note: If the pumping level of water in your well starts to fall below your pump intake, ordinary air may mix with the water and produce similar symptoms. When in doubt, contact a professional to determine the nature of the observed gas.

For more on this topic – Methane Gas Migration
Citizen Groundwater and Surfacewater Database