For those who follow our blog, this news will come as no surprise — but is extremely newsworthy nonetheless.  I was just forwarded an email from some our friends in Dimock that was just sent to them by EPA Region 3 staffer Trish Taylor — indicating that EPA’s review has found it does not pose a threat to human health.  One can reasonably assess this means it meets Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) standards which would align with earlier findings from Cabot Oil and Gas and Pennsylvania DEP.  Someone may want to pass this along to Binghamton mayor Matt Ryan before he goes and spends his taxpayers money to fix a problem in another state that does not exist.

Dear Dimock Residents,

This email is a follow-up to the visits to Dimock area homes by EPA on November 10, 2011 and the subsequent review of well sampling data for wells impacted by the Cabot Oil and Gas Company drilling activities.   EPA has conducted a preliminary review and screening of the data provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and residents.  While we are continuing our review, to date, the data does not indicate that the well water presents an immediate health threat to users.   EPA will continue to review available information related to the concerns of Dimock area residents.  We are continuing to work with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania going forward on this issue.

Please feel free to call me or David Polish, Community Involvement Coordinator, at (215) 814-3327, if you have further questions.

Sincerely,

Trish Taylor, Community Involvement Coordinator

Hazardous Site Cleanup Division (Mailcode 3HS52)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 3

1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA., 19103

phone: (215) 814 – 5539

fax: (215) 814 – 3015