Shohola well-water testing

By TOM KANE

SHOHOLA, PA — Even though Shohola Township received partial funding from the Upper Delaware Council (UDC), it has decided to allocate $1,000 from its general fund to conduct the testing of wells in the township.

“The township received only $500 out of a request for $3,500 from UDC’s Technical Assistance Grants program in order to conduct these well tests,” said Peter Wulfhorst, a resident who is also with the Pike County PennState Cooperative Extension. “The council decided that it was important to gather some baseline data on the state of drinking water in residents’ wells.”

The measure is motivated by the prospect of natural gas well drilling that is expected to reach the township very soon, he said.

“We couldn’t expect to test all of the approximately 1,000 private wells in the township, but to offer testing on a first-come, first-served basis to about 40 residents who might be interested,” Wulfhorst said.

The results of this testing could not be used in a court of law, he said.

The first purpose of the testing effort is educational. “We want to inform residents of what is coming to the township when the gas drilling companies begin drilling on properties that have signed leases,” he said. “They need to know the importance of testing their wells. We can’t afford to pay for general testing sowe need to give residents the option of paying for more complete testing themselves if they so wish.”

The most effective approach to testing a well is to use a third-party testing company—not from the gas companies or from residents’ own efforts, he said. “This is the most expensive method to know what’s in your well. The testing we will do couldn’t be used in a court case if a resident thinks the gas drilling company has contaminated their wells.”

On October 21 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., residents can come to the township hall on Twin Lakes Road to receive testing bottles which they will take home, fill and return the following Monday, October 26 during working hours.

“I will take the specimens to the PennState testing lab in Wilkes-Barre who will then send the residents a report on what is in their water,” Wulfhorst said. A township-wide report on what was found will be created and publicized for educational purposes.

For more information, call the county cooperative extension at 570/296-3400.