Dimock Twp., PA (WBNG Binghamton) About two years ago, contamination showed up in water wells in Dimock, believed to have come from a nearby natural gas drilling site. Now, those families hear a possible solution to getting clean, safe drinking water.
Action News reporter Matt Markham spoke to some of them today who have been looking for help.
Neighbors along Carter Road are at their wit's end. They say they can't drink their own water, and haven't been able to for a long time.
But now, the Pennsylvania DEP says its coming up with permanent solutions.
"I think they're wonderful. Secretary Hangar is going to ask Cabot Oil to bring in a fresh water source from Montrose. And all of us here in Dimock are thrilled," said Julie Sautner of Dimock.
Other options include pooling water from a single fresh source.
"I don't know how they could drill common wells around here or any other place, and guarantee that they won't be contaminated the same as the rest of the water wells are in the area," said Ronald Carter of Dimock.
Even though residents of Carter Road say they favor plans to have water brought in from Montrose, they say that the quality of their own wells hasn't gotten any better. In fact, it has forced one resident to move from Dimock Township all together.
"I used to live here. 20 years. Raised my kids here," said Shelly Weaver.
Weaver's son is still in Dimock to go to school, but she is with her sister in Binghamton.
"It's very sad. Its very sad that the place my son calls home...he's still here, but not with his mother. We're not together."
"It won't make everything better. But at least we'll have a safer source of water to shower and drink," Sautner said.
The DEP says it and Cabot should find fresh water sources and how to get them to Carter Road soon.
Many of the neighbors along Carter Road were at a meeting with the state Department of Environmental Protection on Monday.
The agency tells them it also hopes to install air-monitoring sensors for any chemicals in the air released from gas drilling.
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