Pocono News Section

Illegally Discharging Sewage

Illegally Discharging Sewage - Thursday, August 14, 2008 at 11:44AM EST

Thursday, Aug 14, 2008 @ 11:44am EST
WILLIAMSPORT, LYCOMING COUNTY- The Department of Environmental Protection has issued a $2,400 fined against the Shamokin-Coal Township joint sewer authority in Northumberland County for illegally discharging 112,000 gallons of sewage to Shamokin Creek over a three day period in June. The sewer authority operates a combined sewer and storm water collection system that includes 77 sewer overflow discharge points that it can use during wet weather to prevent an overload at the treatment plant. The authority is not authorized to discharge sewage from any of the overflow points during dry weather conditions, as was the case during the illegal discharges. The authority also failed to notify DEP of the problem immediately as required by its permit. The fine was paid to the clean water fund which is used to pay for cleanups across the state.