Williamsport, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is responding to an ongoing sewage line rupture near the Eastern Snyder County Regional Authority’s (ESCRA) sewage treatment plant in Selinsgrove, Snyder County. The ruptured sewage pipe is releasing raw sewage into Penns Creek, which flows into Middle Creek and the Susquehanna River.
DEP was notified on Sunday morning by ESCRA of the release after a 20-inch sewage pipe ruptured due to an unknown cause. DEP’s Emergency Response Team and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission responded to the site on Sunday. DEP will continue to work with ESCRA to ensure that the release is stopped, and that cleanup is completed as swiftly as possible.
There are no surface water intakes for public drinking water in the affected area and drinking water systems downstream of the incident were notified. Public drinking water supplies are safe and may continue to be used.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recommends that the public avoid direct contact with the impacted waterways, including the Susquehanna River for 20 miles downstream of Selinsgrove to the Liverpool area in Perry County. This recommendation includes refraining from recreational uses such as fishing, boating, swimming, and wading.
The Snyder County Emergency Management Agency recommends that customers limit use of their sewage systems if possible until repairs are made. This includes all residents of Shamokin Dam Borough, Monroe Township, Penn Township, and Selinsgrove Borough.