LACKAWANNA COUNTY, Pa. — Pennsylvania American Water has agreed to fund a community environmental project in Roaring Brook after a water company project caused silt pollution in the waterway, Lackawanna County officials said Friday.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection said the water company will undertake the project, costing at least $300,000, in lieu of a civil penalty.
The project will include bank stabilization and the installation of an accessible fishing dock.
The state found that a Pennsylvania American Water project at the No. 7 Dam in Dunmore allowed silt and sediment to flow into Roaring Brook.
The breach occurred in February as the company worked on the dam.
DEP notified Pennsylvania American Water of the violation in March after numerous complaints.
PAW issued the following statement:
Pennsylvania American Water is confident it will satisfy all the requirements of the consent order it agreed to with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) related to the Dunmore Dam, including the agreed-upon Community Environmental Project (CEP) to provide improvements and enhancements along the Roaring Brook. The CEP will occur along Roaring Brook near Darcy Park and includes enhanced fish habitat, streambank stabilization, handicap-accessible fishing deck, and educational signage. Pennsylvania American Water looks forward to working on this project with PA DEP, other regulatory agencies, and other local conservation partners such as Trout Unlimited and the Lackawanna River Conservation Association.
Pennsylvania American Water appreciates DEP's guidance in investing in stewardship initiatives that align with our commitment to source water protection and community enrichment.
The consent order and agreement is posted on DEP's website.
