HARRISBURG – Samples collected from wells in the Gardeau area of
the Norfolk Southern train derailment do not exceed acceptable pH
levels for drinking water, according to a statement released by
Norfolk Southern Corp. Tuesday.
Norfolk Southern has tested more than 100 samples to date from
residential wells between Gardeau and Driftwood, where the train
derailed June 30.
The site will continue to be cleared of rail equipment and
lading, with remediation and restoration to follow. Norfolk
Southern said it will continue to work closely with state and local
agencies involved to mitigate the effects of the derailment as
quickly as possible.
The train cars leaked roughly 48,000 gallons of sodium hydroxide
into the Sinnemahoning-Portage Creek, raising stream pH levels and
killing most of its organisms. Fish kill was reported as far as 35
miles downstream from the spill the day after. The concentrated
chemical leached into and dissolved most of the organic material in
the soil and stream bottom, resulting in an organic soup which
traveled downstream.
Biologists from the Department of Environmental Protection
Northcentral and Northwest offices sampled the organisms living at
the bottom of the stream, known as benthic macroinvertebrates last
Thursday. These creatures, which include crayfish, snails and
aquatic worms, are used as indicators of pollution in streams. They
are able to live in a wide range of water quality conditions.
The head of the DEP Northcentral Region biologists, Tom Randis,
reportedly said conditions in the Driftwood Branch of the
Sinnemahoning Creek were “bleak.”
It has been predicted that it could be five years before the
affected streams fully recover, though the pH levels of affected
streams below the spill have returned to normal, with the exception
of about two miles of water on Portage Creek and Big Fill Hollow,
reports on Saturday indicated.
The DEP and local agencies have warned residents to keep
children and pets away from the stream until another report is
released. Streams are being re-evaluated this week.
The Federal Railroad Administration completed its on-site probe
into the cause of the derailment, but FRA officials say it may be
weeks before the final report is released.
Norfolk Southern said in its release Tuesday the company
“sincerely regrets the environmental damage resulting from the
derailment, as well as the inconvenience experienced by residents
of McKean and Cameron counties.”
