Untreated Sewage Discharges into River After Main Ruptures
By Ron Devlin, Reading Eagle, Pa.
Jan. 12–Untreated sewage is being discharged into the Schuylkill River after a 42-inch sewer main ruptured in Reading, the state Department of Environmental Protection reported Friday.
Public water suppliers downstream were alerted to the spill and are monitoring the quality of their water intake, the DEP said in a news release.
The Reading Public Works Department is asking businesses and residents on the city’s east side to conserve water to reduce flow in the sanitary sewer system until the break is repaired.
Authorities said the break occurred Thursday between the city’s Sixth and Canal streets pumping station and the wastewater plant on Fritz’s Island.
Charles M. Jones, Reading public works director, said Friday night that repairs are expected to be complete today.
The DEP news release issued earlier Friday stated that an estimated 10 million gallons of sewage could end up in the river.
DEP officials were unavailable to provide further details.
Authorities could not immediately determine the environmental impact, but a work crew installed a bar screen to prevent solids from being carried downstream.
Contractors exposed the leak at a joint in a main that is by the river near Brentwood Industries. Jones said metal bands needed to seal the joint are expected to be delivered today.
A resident discovered the break about 2 p.m. Thursday. No untreated sewage reached the river Thursday, Jones said.
But Friday, sewage flowing in a pumping station that feeds the ruptured line had to be diverted into the river. That action was necessary to stop the flow into the broken pipe so repairs could be made.
"We had no other choice," Jones said. "If we shut down the pumping station, the sewage would back up into everybody’s basement."
The rupture was a result of normal wear and tear, said Jones, who estimated the pipe to be 50 to 60 years old.
The DEP, which is assisting with the repairs, has a crew monitoring water quality at the scene.
Pottstown is the first downstream municipality that draws from the Schuylkill River for its public water.
"I have been assured that this is not a situation of immediate alarm," Pottstown Mayor Sharon V. Thomas said. "We spent all last evening and most of today (Friday) monitoring the situation for changes (in bacteria levels) and are prepared to modify chlorine levels if need be."
Contact reporter Ron Devlin at 610-371-5030 or rdevlin@readingeagle.com.
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