The Department of Environmental Protection Tuesday announced the construction of an approximately $20 million public water distribution and supply system began this month to service residents in four Lackawanna County communities affected by groundwater contamination that impacted privately owned water wells.

The work is part of a 2011 agreement between DEP and the companies responsible for the contamination: Bostik, Inc. and Sandvik, Inc., both tenants of the Ivy Industrial Park in South Abington and Scott Townships.

The new system will consist of a water supply pumping station and more than 20 miles of main distribution line, which will connect to new water service lines running to approximately 330 properties in Scott, Waverly, South Abington and North Abington townships.

Another 70 homes that had the potential to be impacted by the contamination have already been connected to existing water lines.

“This construction project is a major milestone in getting clean water back to residents affected by this contamination” said Michael Bedrin, Director of DEP’s Northeast Regional Office. “The work is a collaborative effort by Bostik and Sandvik, the local townships, state representatives, EPA, Pennsylvania American Water and the department.”

In 2005, DEP staff discovered that groundwater near the Ivy Industrial Park was contaminated with organic solvents trichloroethylene (or TCE) and tetrachloroethylene (or PCE). DEP subsequently named both facilities as responsible for contaminating groundwater with volatile organic chemicals stemming from industrial operations at both sites.

The construction work will be completed by two local companies: Pioneer Construction of Honesdale, Pennsylvania, and TSE, of Dunmore. The consulting firm Gannett Fleming of Harrisburg will manage day-to-day operations of the project.

The work on the project is expected to take about 18 months. The pipeline should be fully operational by late spring 2016, and all properties should be connected to it by the end of the summer in 2016.

Once construction of the water line distribution and supply system is completed, Pennsylvania American Water will begin providing water service to the homeowners.

A project website has been established for members of the community and those along the route to track progress and stay informed.  The website will be updated regularly with the construction schedule. 

Members of the public may also call the Project Community Information Line at 866-781-8828 with any questions or concerns.

As the project progresses, property owners along the route also will be contacted directly by Gannett Fleming with details and schedules related to the work that affects their particular property.

For more information, call 570-826-2511.

4/27/2015