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Resident raises alarm over oil spill into Keim-Buchert stream; township, DEP and EPA engaged
Summary
A Lower Pottsgrove resident reported oil running from a nearby church into a stream at Keim and Buchert that he says has killed aquatic life and sickened the smell; the township says the leak came from corroded 275-gallon tanks, the line was fixed, DEP and EPA were notified and an environmental firm will do cleanup and testing.
Eric DeBlase, a resident of 972 Buchert Road, told the Lower Pottsgrove Board of Commissioners on April 6 that oil is running from a nearby church into the stream at Keim and Buchert and described dead aquatic life and a strong odor. "We can't let our dog out there, everything in the stream is dead and the smell is awful," DeBlase said during public comment.
Township Manager Edward C. Wagner and Fire Marshal Joseph Groff told the board the leak originated from a corroded service line feeding two above-ground 275-gallon tanks at the site. Wagner said the service line has been repaired but oil entered the township storm system through a French drain around the building. Wagner said the township has coordinated with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; DEP asked that additional spill blankets be placed, which the fire company deployed, and Coventry Environmental will be on site this week to conduct cleanup and soil testing.
Groff told the board that township responders and the township engineer, along with outside environmental contractors, have been on site since the initial reports. Wagner confirmed he has the residents' contact information and said he will follow up and share the environmental firm's reports once testing is complete.
Robert Coyle, another nearby resident, told commissioners his concern includes where the oil may be reaching groundwater and private wells. Wagner and Groff said the environmental contractor and the agencies will evaluate soils and water and report findings.
Next steps: Coventry Environmental will perform on-site cleanup and testing; DEP and EPA remain involved and the township manager will provide follow-up reports to the residents once available.
