More than a century ago, nearly everyone’s lives revolved around the mine.
The coal company built three terraced ponds to provide water to the workers of Stockton No.
Gravity fed the water down the hillside and to the homes and businesses that lined Stockton Road.
According to the EPA, the system "had no operator or responsible ownership since it was discovered about five years ago."
"All the people in this village took care of it and maintained it," said Kairewich.
That, Kairewich said, is how they found the deer carcass.
Pennsylvania ultimately spent $2.2 million via the federal Drinking Water State Revolving Fund to connect the Stocktons to Hazleton’s municipal water system.
"I was pushing for the water even though no one else was," Kairewich said, "because the water was dangerous.
Residents in the shadow of the old mines have faced water issues since taking over the system.Mark Pynes photo Daniels, meanwhile, is troubled by the Trump administration’s emphasis on private infrastructure funding–particularly if that means that federal State Revolving Fund dollars are cut.
Private companies, she said, likely won’t be looking to invest in smaller water systems.