There are 8 shale gas well pads surrounding the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County’s Beaver Run Reservoir, which provides water to approximately 130,000 homes. For a breakdown of MAWC’s systems and which communities get water from which reservoirs, you can see their website here. The operator of these shale gas pads, CNX (previously Consol Energy), has been trying to get one of their active Utica wells under control after they noticed gas pressure spiking at nearby shallow gas wells. Shallow wells are being flared, and a special well control team from out of state is expected to “kill” the well, a procedure that involves pumping heavy mud into the wellbore to stop the flow and keep it down. Read a recent news article on the subject here.
For the past several years, Mountain Watershed Association has been working with community members, particularly the Westmoreland Marcellus Citizens Group, who have pressured MAWC to conduct regular testing on the reservoir to monitor for impacts from shale gas activity, but more can be done to protect the thousands of people who rely on this drinking water source. If you are interested in learning more or getting involved in protecting Beaver Run Reservoir, let us know by contacting us here or e-mailing ashley@mtwatershed.com.
