State issues sewage violation against Sunrise Lake
By Anya Tikka
SUNRISE LAKES — Residents continue to complain about sewer and water problems at Sunrise Lake.
Some say their ground and well water are contaminated, and that their sewage mounds, which are supposed to filter wastewater, are failing.
An inspector from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) found that a leaky sewer mound is polluting the water in the area, a matter in dispute. Some residents claim the property owners’ association is not following through by notifying affected residents.
Chip Dingman, president of the Sunrise Lakes Property Owners Association, said he could not comment because of pending litigation brought by the resident.
A resident told the Courier he wished to remain anonymous because of a pending lawsuit. He said the DEP told the property owners’ association to shut down the failed sewage system at the end of January because it was leaking. The DEP also took soil samples in early February, and the test results, according to the resident, “came back very bad.”
The state says it’s looking to the township to address the issue.
“The township just sent the Sunrise Lake administration a Notice of Violation,” said Colleen Connolly, DEP’s North East Pennsylvania representative, in an email to the Courier. “DEP is not directly involved in this other than the township sewage enforcement officer keeping us informed of what steps it is taking to remedy the situation.”
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General Comments
- Water Testing – private well owners have contacted the KCWT about this situation our recommendation is the following:
a. Contact a private certified testing laboratory to have your water tested. At a minimum, the water should be tested for total coliform, E. coli., pH, conductivity, chloride, nitrate, nitrite, surfactants (Foaming agents), and total dissolved solids. - If you can afford additional testing we recommend- TKN, ammonia, COD, sodium and potassium.