More residential wells in Upper Makefield Township have tested positive for contaminants following a jet fuel pipeline leak, according to pipeline operator Energy Transfer.
The company provided an update Tuesday and stated that as of 4 p.m., 70 of 114 water tests conducted by third-party environmental consultants have been completed, with six showing hydrocarbon levels exceeding state health standards. An additional 108 tests are scheduled.
The leak, which originated from a 14-inch pipeline in the Mount Eyre neighborhood, has led to concerns from residents about the safety of their drinking water.
Energy Transfer said it is continuing to provide bottled water to affected homeowners and has begun installing carbon filtration systems, which are designed to remove hydrocarbons from water.
At the request of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), the pipeline is currently operating at 20% reduced pressure, Energy Transfer said.
The company has completed six investigative digs in Upper Makefield and Newtown townships, overseen by PHMSA, at previously repaired locations and found no evidence of additional leaks, a statement said.
The company said soil samples taken during the digs did not detect any product.
Testing is underway to validate the condition of previous repairs.
An in-line inspection tool will be run through the entire pipeline this year, also under PHMSA oversight, Energy Transfer said.
Energy Transfer reported recovering approximately 38 gallons of product from the affected area.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is providing environmental oversight and will continue to do so through the remediation process, according to the company.
The company said it has contacted 223 homeowners in and beyond the Mount Eyre neighborhood.
Energy Transfer has also launched a website dedicated to the incident and will provide further updates at the next public meeting, which will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Sol Feinstone Elementary School at 1090 Eagle Road.
Energy Transfer answered resident questions at a four-hour-long meeting last week. A video of it can be viewed online.
State Sen. Steve Santarsiero and State Rep. Perry Warren, both Democrats, sent a letter earlier this week asking the company to shut down the pipeline until the leak is identified.
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