Penn Soil RC&D Council
RC&D : "The Catalyst for Community Improvement"

Project Summary

This is a multimedia project that will develop innovative technologies and cost effective alternatives for pollution prevention. A small rural community north of Fryburg, Pennsylvania has a serious problem with the quality of their drinking water and is not in compliance with federal, state and county regulations in the proper treatment of sewage waste from the residences.

     The people of this community obtain their drinking water from private wells and springs that are polluted from failed septic systems. The percolation rate of the wet, heavily compacted clay soil in the area is so poor that homeowners cannot obtain permits for on-lot systems. Complicating the situation is the Exceptional Value (EV) waters (as designated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection) of McCauley Run that flows through the valley. EV waters are to be protected at their existing quality and cannot be degraded for any reason. The Penn Soil Conservancy Charitable Trust would like to develop creative strategies and cost effective alternatives to provide clean water for this community and correct the pollution from the residents' homes. One proposed alternative supported by PA-DEP includes adding the McCauley Run area to the nearby existing Fryburg system. However, due to topography and other constraints this proposal appears to require extensive and expensive pumping systems. This would create undue financial hardships to the residents of the McCauley Run area.

    There are approximately 35 homes that make up this rural community. Most of the residents are retired, low income or lower middle-class working families. Most do not have an education beyond high school.

    This proposal addresses the Clean Water Act, Section 104(b) (3) in that it will conduct investigations and studies relating to the prevention and elimination of water pollution. The project will also address the Safe Drinking Water Act, Section 1442(b) (3), as it will develop an educational program relating to the public health aspects of providing safe drinking water to the residents of the community.

    Multi-media project goals will be met through Penn Soil overseeing the formation of a grass-roots action committee entitled the Dempseytown Road Informs the Neighborhood Committee (DRINC). This committee will consist of community residents who will organize quarterly meetings that will be open to all community members in building their community capacity. Through these community meetings, DRINC will conduct a water quality survey and bring in consultants to help the residents identify local environmental justice problems and help community members design and implement activities to address identified concerns. In addition, these meetings will provide a forum to enhance community understanding of environmental and public health information systems and generate information on pollution in the community.