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Mayor Of Sugarcreek Asks For Donations To Refill Village Of Reno Water Tank After Contamination In Venango County; Emergency Water Distribution Resumes; Contamination From Conventional Oil Wastewater Tanks Suspected

The Mayor of Sugarcreek Borough in Venango County is asking for monetary donations to help pay for the refilling of the Village of Reno’s water tank after a ‘Do Not Consume’ order was issued on July 21 as a result of water contamination.

The Venango Water Company, which operates the Reno water supply system, said, “On July 20, 2023, a discharge from a brine storage tank uphill of the source for Venango Water Company was identified. Due to the potential for contamination of the source, consumption of the water at Venango Water Company is not advised due to the risk to public health.”

The suspected source of the contamination is a leak from production wastewater tanks operated by Petro Erie, Inc. at the Lower Reno conventional oil well lease, according to the Department of Environmental Protection. Read more here.

The Reno water system serves about 210 residential and non-residential customers in the Village of Reno, according to reporting by The Derrick newspaper.

Since the notice, the Reno Neighborhood Association has been working with the Reno Volunteer Fire Department on emergency water distribution to families affected and asking for monetary donations for refilling the water tank for the water system.

Water Distribution Resumes

The Derrick reported on August 10 the water distribution efforts were on hold because chlorine levels in water in a tank they had been using to give out water to residents fell below proper Chlorine levels, according to Sugarcreek Borough Mayor Charlie McDaniel.

However, emergency water supply distribution resumed the next day after another water tank was located with the help of the Venango County Emergency Management office. Read more here.

On August 11, Oil City Council voted to seek an emergency permit from DEP which would allow them to sell potable water to the Venango Water Company through December 31.

City officials said the Venango Water Company requested about 25,000 gallons of water a day while the company flushes out its water system.

Council members were happy to have the opportunity to help their Reno neighbors, The Derrick reported.

State Legislators, No Response

Neither of the state legislators who represent Venango County-- Sen. Scott Hutchinson (R-Venango) and Rep. R. Lee James (R-Venango)-- have been quoted in any local news coverage about the emergency.

PA Environment Digest reached out to both legislators for comments, but there was no response.

Both Hutchinson and James are outspoken supporters of the conventional oil and gas industry on any issue.

Making Donations

Sugarcreek Borough Mayor Charles McDaniel said monetary donations can be made to the Reno Volunteer Fire Department and sent to their address at 4 Fourth St, Reno, PA 16343. Call 814-676-2257 for more information.

Concert Fundraiser Aug. 11

The Reno Neighborhood Association is also holding a concert fundraiser on August 11 at the Wanango Country Club in Reno from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

The concert will feature Hellz - Bellz, an AC/DC tribute band.

The entire cover charge for the concert will go to the Reno Water Fund.

NewsClips - Reno Water Contamination:

-- The Derrick - Kara O’Neil: Oil City Approves Water Sale Plan To Help Out Reno Pending DEP OK [PDF of article]

-- The Derrick - Makayla Keating: Water Distribution Will Resume In Village Of Reno, Venango County Affected By Suspected Conventional Oil Well Wastewater Spill [PDF of article ]

-- The Derrick - Makayla Keating: DEP: No Time Frame On When Water Will Be Safe To Drink In Reno; Water Distribution On Hold Due To Low Chlorine Levels [PDF of article]

-- The Derrick - Makayla Keating: Do Not Consume Water Advisory Continues For Reno, Venango County, Aug. 11 Event Set To Raise Money For Water Fund [PDF of article ]

-- The Derrick - Makayla Keating: DEP Inspection Report Outlines Findings In Reno, Venango County Water System Contamination Case [PDF of article]

-- The Derrick: Volunteers Signing Up To Help With Emergency Water Distribution In Reno [PDF of article]

-- The Derrick: Reno Water Customers Turn Out To Air Concerns About Ongoing Water Issues At Sugarcreek Borough Council Meeting [PDF of article]