63K Gal. Brine Spill at Inflection Well Pad in Lycoming County

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Approximately 63,000 gallons of treated brine (naturally occurring, very “salty” water that comes out of a well long after it’s drilled) spilled in an accident at an Inflection Energy well pad in Eldred Township, Lycoming County, PA, on Monday. Inflection blames a contractor and operator error for the spill, which happened after an already-full tank was overfilled. Some of the brine (no word on how much) reached a nearby unnamed creek that flows into the Loyalsock Creek. However, testing done on the Loyalsock shows no presence of contamination. The Loyalsock flows into the Susquehanna River, and the Susquehanna is used as a public drinking water source–hence the concern. There are no warnings to public drinking water operations along the Susquehanna because there is no problem to report. Now comes an investigation, and no doubt fines, for the accident. Here’s what we’re able to find out about the episode–an occurrence so rare it’s newsworthy when it happens…

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