Odor near I-79 investigated
10/24/2009
Observer-Reporter
Washington, PA
WAYNESBURG - Some said it smelled like sewage
and others said it was like dead fish but
officials believe the odor that occasionally permeated
the area near the Waynesburg interchange of Interstate
79 this week originated from bacteria in a nearby
natural gas drilling retention pond.

Impoundment near I-79 interchange in Waynesburg
Jeff
Marshall, director of the county Department of Emergency
Management, said his office had received a few calls,
starting Monday, regarding the odor. One was from the
state Correctional Institution at Greene, which is near
the drilling site.
The state Department of
Environmental Protection was asked to investigate the
matter, Marshall said. The DEP could not be reached
Friday for comment. Marshall said, however, his office
was informed by the DEP the smell came from bacteria in
a retention pond at a drilling site near the interstate.
The DEP said the odor is
nontoxic and does not present any environmental
problems, Marshall said. Marshall didn't know the name
of the drilling company working at the site, but he was
told the company is taking care of the problem.
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