MECHANICSBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and other agencies are on the scene of an underground tank leak near the Conodoguinet Creek in Silver Spring Township, Cumberland County, the agency said Tuesday.
Approximately 42,000 Pennsylvania American Water customers in the area are being asked to limit their water use to essential purposes only as a result of the leak, the water company said in a press release.
The leak was detected Tuesday morning, after a strange odor was noted in the area and a sheen was seen on the creek, according to the DEP. The strange smell was mainly found in the area of Route 114, Bent Creek Blvd and other low-lying areas around the creek, according to the Silver Spring Community Fire Company.
According to the DEP, the discharge into the waterway has been stopped but the amount of leaked oil is unknown.
The source has been identified as a leaking 9,100-gallon underground tank at the Cumberland Perry Area Career and Technical Center, DEP said. The agency said it is working with the responsible party to secure a contractor to handle the cleanup.
Additionally, DEP said it is working on issuing an emergency permit for Pennsylvania American to activate interconnections with Veolia Water to supplement its water supply. At this time, there have been no observed impacts to the wildlife.
The conservation order affects customers in parts of Silver Spring Township, Hampden Township, Lower Allen Township, Lemoyne Borough, Wormleysburg Borough, East Pennsboro Township, New Cumberland Borough, Fairview Township, Shiremanstown Borough, Camp Hill Borough, and Newberry Township, the water company said.
Customers are asked to temporarily limit their water use to essential purposes only, with a targeted use reduction between 10-15%.
"Pennsylvania American Water is working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible," the company said. "Additionally, the company has increased production at its West Shore Water Treatment Plant, which also serves the Mechanicsburg water system, and opened an emergency interconnection with (Veolia Water)."
For more information, visit pennsylvaniaamwater.com and area click on ‘Alerts’.