Nestlé to close all but two Eldred Township wells
By Howard Frank Pocono Record Writer
Nestlé Waters North America agreed to seal approximately 15 of 17 test monitoring wells it drilled on an Eldred Township property after a failed attempt to build a water extraction facility there this year.
The well closures will follow a process as set forth by regulatory agencies.
“There are 13 wells that will be abandoned in accordance with Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection guidance,” spokesman and hydrogeologist Eric Andreus said. “The well abandonment process involves the placement of cement grout in the well to seal the well bore from the aquifer. The ground surface is then restored to pre-well conditions.
However, property owner Gower Estates, LLC will keep two of the monitoring wells for its use. It is not clear if the two wells built and tested for the extraction of up to 200,000 gallons a day will be among those closed.
The closing was precipitated by a July 25 letter from Michael Gaul, an attorney representing the township from Kings, Spry, Herman, Freund and Faul, LLC. In it, Gaul noted that Nestlé abandoned its special exemption application to convert two of the test wells into production wells, which the attorney deemed "presumably abandoned."
It further cites DEP regulations in asking that Nestlé follow the rules the agency set for abandoned wells, noting the environmental impact of leaving them abandoned. According to the letter:
“. . . due to the possible consequences of improper abandonment to the aquifer and surrounding properties, the township is requesting that (Nestlé) provide it with appropriate documentation confirming that the water wells have been abandoned in compliance with the Pennsylvania regulations.”
Nestlé attorney Timothy Weston, with K and L Gates LLP wrote back, confirming it hired Moyer Well Drilling to close the wells in accordance with regulations administered by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Based on Moyers schedule, the attorney said he expects the work will begin in this week and completed within approximately three weeks, or the beginning of September.
The abandoned Nestlé project brought strong opposition from residents and environmentalists concerned that water extraction, at such high levels would damage the area’s water supply and impact local wells. After a four-year effort, Nestlé abandoned its plans this year, citing local ordinances that might conflict with the location of its proposed production site.
Nestlé intended to truck the water from Eldred Township to its bottling facilities in Eastern Pennsylvania for its Deer Park Natural Spring Water brand of bottled water.
Story from the Pocono Record
