Energy Transfer will begin installing recovery wells next week to address a jet fuel pipeline leak that has contaminated private wells in an Upper Makefield Township neighborhood.
Energy Transfer announced in a statement to residents that drilling for two recovery wells is set to begin Tuesday, March 18 at a property on Spencer Road in the Mount Eyre neighborhood.
The property was reported to be purchased by Energy Transfer after the leak.
The drilling will be performed by contractor Parratt Wolff and is expected to be completed by Friday, March 21, Energy Transfer said.
The recovery wells aim to extract petroleum from groundwater following a leak discovered in January from Energy Transfer’s 14-inch Twin Oaks pipeline. The leak has been traced to a 2.5-inch crack and has contaminated at least six private wells, with residents fearing wider contamination.
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) officials informed residents at a public meeting this week that smaller monitoring wells will also be installed throughout the neighborhood to increase monitoring.
The DEP has ordered Energy Transfer to install point-of-entry water treatment systems in over 100 homes.
While Energy Transfer estimates about 156 barrels of jet fuel spilled and has recovered approximately 65 gallons, according to officials.
Several residents reported ongoing contamination in their wells that they say is due to Energy Transfer’s pipeline.
State officials have warned that a full cleanup could take years.
Residents of the Mount Eyre neighborhood are demanding clean water, thorough monitoring, transparent information, soil remediation, health monitoring, and compensation for damages.
Energy Transfer is now engaging in one-on-one discussions with residents, shifting away from large public forums, residents reported.
Residents and local officials have criticized Energy Transfer’s response, with many demanding a complete shutdown of the 105-mile pipeline. They allege the pipeline may have been leaking for 16 months.
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) released findings that the first fuel smell was reported in September 2023, but no leak was found at the time.
PHMSA has reported the leak stemmed from a faulty sleeve, which was installed in 1995.
After the leak was discovered and emergency repairs made, the pipeline began operating at 20 percent reduced capacity.
Residents and the Upper Makefield Township Board of Supervisors have called for it to be shut down.
Democratic U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, and other state and local officials have also called for a pipeline shutdown during the investigation. Gov. Josh Shapiro has asked PHMSA to hold Energy Transfer accountable.
Energy transfer had last inspected the pipeline with a crack detection tool in 2017, and performed an inline inspection in 2022, according to a resident spill task force.
Previous NewtownPANow.com reporting on the spill:
- Water Company Says No Jet Fuel Contamination In Nearby Well
- State Orders Energy Transfer To Provide Clean Water After Pipeline Leak
- Upper Makefield Officials, Residents: ‘Shut Down The Pipeline’
- Residents, Officials Fear Wider Contamination From Upper Makefield Pipeline Leak
- Faulty Pipeline Sleeve Blamed For Upper Makefield Fuel Leak
- No Evidence Of Other Fuel Pipeline Leaks, Company Says
- Jet Fuel Leak Taints Upper Makefield Wells
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