Scarlift Site 15 passive mine drainage treatment system on SR 901.

How is it working?

Very well. The data below show that pH goes up, iron, aluminum, and manganese go way down, and alkalinity (ability to neutralize acid) goes way up. We are very successfully treating this major discharge of mine drainage to Shamokin Creek!

			total mg/L					mg/L CaCO3
	pH	T, C	Iron	Aluminum	Manganese	Calcium	Sulfate	Acidity	Alkalinity
11/6/2006 influent	4.1	11	29	12	4.7	33	410	138	6
11/6/2006 effluent standpipes	7.2	6	0.9	< 0.5	0.96	143	265	-152	332
3/9/2007 influent	4.3	nd	29	8	4.4	nd	295	123	7
3/9/2007 effluent standpipes	8.5	nd	0.4	< 0.5	0.75	nd	181	nd	350
6/29/2007 influent	4.2	12	27	9	4.5	30	395	132	1
6/29/2007 effluent standpipes	7.2	21	0.2	< 0.5	1.1	120	80	-341	480

What about the odor?

Local residents have complained about odors. It's a complicated issue, and the SCRA is working to understand and fix the odor.

• We are trying to learn if there is more than one source of odor. Possibilities include the treatment system, a nearby fire in waste rock, and sewage. We are working to see if we can determine the source of the majority of the odor. We have enlisted the PA DEP's Air Quality folks for help.
• The treatment system does produce hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg smell) as a non-desirable but necessary by-product when it is functioning properly. The smell is much more intense than we had anticipated. We are working with several partners, including the designer, to find an effective way to reduce this odor.
• If you wish to complete a survey to help us learn more about the odors, click here to get a .pdf file that you can print, fill out (anonymously if you wish), and return by mail.
• We anticipate that work completed to change flowrates through the system on 7/13, 7/16, and 7/26/07 will help ameliorate the odor from the system. Because this is a large, partly biological treatment system, it will take a few days to see how well these steps work. If more work is needed, we will continue that work.
• Thanks for your patience while we work to solve the odor issues that have arisen while we clean up AMD from Shamokin Creek.
• Early August 2007 Update - flow was temporarily shut off to the parts of the system that can produce odors - no odors have emanated from the system recently. Overall water flow remains at near design flow.

Mods 3/12/08

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