SWISSDALE - The state Department of Environmental Protection confirmed this morning that 3,400 gallons of treated frack flowback water were spilled during Friday's tri-axle truck crash on the Coudersport Pike, near the "horseshoe curve."
"There were two things spilled ... 50 gallons of fuel and oil and 3,400 gallons of treated frack water," DEP spokesman Dan Spadoni said. "We have no information that any waterways were threatened by this. I don't think that's a concern."
The water truck is owned by A&A Construction of Clarence. The water was from a well drilled by Anadarko.
A&A has hired an environmental consultant, GEF, at the direction of DEP, to conduct an investigation, Spadoni said.
"That's part of it," he said. "We've already taken soil samples and have taken at least some private drinking water samples. We'll be following up today."
Spadoni said someone from the agency's Environmental Cleanup Program will be collecting more samples from private drinking water wells.
As far as any fines that may be instituted, Spadoni said that will be decided at a later date.
"Right now, we're focused on the site remediation," he said.
County Director of Emergency Services Kevin Fanning also confirmed this morning there was some leakage of diesel fuel and motor oil.
He said officials put down absorbent material to sop up the small amount of spilled fuel and oil and deposited it into a five-gallon bucket, and another approximately 30 gallons in the truck's fuel tank was placed into a 55-gallon drum.
The remaining fuel in a separate fuel tank did not leak, Fanning said.
There have been numerous concerns about the speed and safety of drilling trucks, especially in the area of Friday night's accident, near the "horseshoe curve" in Woodward Township.
"I can sympathize with the concerns people have out there, but that's a PennDOT and a law enforcement issue. There isn't any type of action my department can make," Fanning said.
Route 664 just below where the crash occurred is starting to see significant deterioration, especially along the shoulders as the ground heaves and the heavy trucks, which have increased on Coudersport Pike in recent weeks, pound the pavement.
A large number of emergency crews responded to the crash at about 10:45 p.m. Friday and were on scene until about 3 a.m. Saturday, collecting the diesel fuel and then pulling the truck, which was severely damaged, up over the embankment. The truck was removed from the scene by Eagle Towing.
The crash occurred about a quarter-mile north of the Swissdale Crossroads of Coudersport Pike (Route 664) and Croak Hollow Road, near Berry Lane.
