Sunoco Again Stops ME2 Construction to Deal With Water Contamination Fallout.
Shields said HDD has stopped in an area of West Whiteland Township "while we make sure those homeowners are taken care of in the short and long term.
While 14 families reported water problems, Shields said a "wider net of folks in the same area" have expressed an interest in a public water connection because they’re concerned about their wells.
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) spokesman Neil Shader said the agency is aware of the issues and said they are under review.
DEP is working to determine if Sunoco failed to meet the requirements outlined in its Chapter 105 Water Obstruction and Encroachment permits and its Chapter 102 Erosion and Sediment Control permits, including the special conditions and water supply assessment, preparedness, prevention and contingency plans.
"Whether Sunoco did or did not comply with these requirements is also still under investigation," Shader said.
Shields said the company is discussing with landowners how it would pay the costs of connection and fees for public water supplies.
For example, a lump sum payment is an option.
Combined with ME 1 and a third pipeline the company plans to construct shortly after ME 2 is completed, the system would have a capacity of up to 800,000 b/d.
The first phase of ME 2 is still expected to be complete by the end of September and the second phase is slated for completion in 2018.