Thousands of gallons of oil were dumped into a wastewater system. State College police are investigating
A State College police investigation is underway after more than 5,000 gallons of oil were dumped into a Centre Region wastewater treatment system, the department wrote Friday.
The oil was dumped into the University Area Joint Authority’s wastewater system between Sunday evening and Monday morning, police wrote.
UAJA Executive Director Cory Miller estimated it cost about $60,000 to clean up. That included internal costs, as well as hiring a contractor to dispose of the oil.
It was not immediately clear if the oil was dumped intentionally, Miller said. No customers were affected and normal operations were expected to resume Friday afternoon. Spring Creek and its watersheds are also expected to be unaffected.
Myron Arnowitt, Pennsylvania director for environmental advocacy group Clean Water Action, wrote in an email Friday that it was a “fairly significant” amount of oil to be dumped and most likely came from a commercial operation of some type.
“It sounds like the plant acted quickly enough that it is not causing major problems with their regular sewage treatment,” Arnowitt wrote. “This can sometimes be an issue because something toxic like oil can kill off the bacteria that sewage plants use to break down raw sewage.”
Those with information about the contamination may call 814-234-7150, email police@statecollegepa.us or submit an anonymous tip online.
This story was originally published January 21, 2022 at 11:59 AM.