DUBOIS – The Headwaters Resource Conservation and Development Council announced that $150,000 has been secured through the Colcom Foundation’s grant program “Marcellus Environmental Fund” for the Headwaters Quality Drinking Water Project to provide low income families in Jefferson, Elk, Potter, Cameron, Clinton, Centre and McKean Counties with funding to secure chain of custody water sample analyses of their private water supplies prior to Marcellus Shale Gas Well Drilling activities.
The council is providing mandatory educational workshops and material explaining how to interpret the water quality results, when do things become toxic and what the homeowner should do in case something does happen to their water supply. RC&D will partner with various organizations and agencies including PA-DEP, Penn State Extension and the local school districts and conservation districts.
Testing has been conducted recently in Centre, Elk and Jefferson counties. In Centre County, the mandatory workshop for testing participants will be held on Wednesday, March 7 from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., at the Bald Eagle Area High School at 751 Eagle Valley Rd.
The educational workshop will explain how to interpret the water quality results and what you should do if something does happen to your water supply. The workshop for participants from Elk and Jefferson counties is scheduled for Thursday, March 8 from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. at The Royal Inn located on 17089 Route 219, Ridgway.
Participants are asked to confirm the number of people in their party that will be attending the workshop by calling the Headwaters RC&D office at 814-503-8653 or emailing bdittemore@headwatersrcd.net.
The next counties to be tested are Clinton and Cameron counties. For more information contact Kelly Williams, Clearfield County Conservation District’s Watershed Conservationist at 814-765-2629 orkwilliamsccd@atlanticbbn.net.
Applications can be obtained at the Clearfield County Conservation District located at 511 Spruce St. in Clearfield or online at www.headwaterspa.org.
