Energy Transfer continues to share resources to help Mt. Eyre residents navigate the process of water testing and carbon filtration systems. Last week, we sent detailed information about Point of Entry Treatment (POET) systems directly to eligible residents. This included a summary and plan outlining the POET systems and how they work, along with a diagram of a sample system; Energy Transfer’s offer related to installation and reimbursement; and the process for eligible residents to request a POET system. We also posted this information to our incident website under Additional Resources.
Additionally, we have begun sending a guide entitled “Understanding Your Sample Results” along with water test results when sent to residents. It is also now available on our incident website under Additional Resources.
As another way to reach all nearby residents, beyond what we have shared regularly electronically and online, we are sending information via direct mail related to the incident and our response. Residents should receive a piece of mail later this week reflecting the information and resources we have been sharing for several weeks.
To date, Energy Transfer’s licensed third-party contractors, Suburban, have installed 8 POET systems. All six homes with water test results showing hydrocarbons above statewide health standards have POET systems in place.
As of 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25, our third-party environmental consultants have performed 332 water tests in the neighborhood, which now includes a number of second-round tests. We have received results for 256 of those. Of the 256, the number of wells impacted either with light non-phase liquid petroleum (LNAPL) or with constituents present above statewide health standards remains at 6. We have 21 first-round and 36 second-round water tests scheduled (or in the process of being scheduled).
We continue to work on the site investigation and characterization under the oversight of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Last week, we completed downhole geophysics at two sites and are beginning geophysical surface resistivity testing, as well as soil gas testing, throughout the neighborhood to better understand the geology and groundwater flow. The resistivity testing is done using long cables that use electrically resistive signals to locate the bedrock and its fractures below the surface. The passive soil gas survey will also help delineate the subsurface hydrocarbon-impacted area and groundwater flow. The DEP continues to provide environmental oversight on all of these activities and we are working with the agency on our Act 2 remediation plan. Based on all of our efforts to date, we continue to narrow the potential area of impact. We have now begun the process of performing a second round of tests for properties within the narrowed impact area.
The next public meeting is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. this Thursday, Feb. 27, at Sol Feinstone Elementary School (1090 Eagle Road., Newtown, PA 18940). Please find Energy Transfer’s full presentation from the Feb. 13 meeting on our incident website. We continue to add resources and update the information and FAQs on our incident response website. As a reminder, our local community support center (1798 Dolington Road, Yardley, PA) is now staffed during normal business hours and is available as an additional resource for residents.
As we continue to investigate previously repaired locations along the pipeline, under the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s (PHMSA’s) oversight, to date we have found no evidence of other leaks. PHMSA continues to oversee all of our pipeline operations and integrity work.