Rust- colored water on Toby Creek in Edwardsville

Yet another issue related to mine subsidence in Luzerne County. About three miles downstream from Sunday’s mine subsidence in Toby Creek in Luzerne Borough, rust-colored water can now be seen in Edwardsville on that same creek. Not only is it rust colored, but the people who walk along Toby Creek in Edwardsville said the water level is lower too. The DEP believes the mine subsidence in Luzerne Borough in now fixed, and they encourage residents to report anything suspicious to the department by calling 570-826-2511, 24-hours a day. Here's the latest update from DEP on other issues that have been reported recently, including a sulfur smell in the Duryea area. Released Thursday 4/18 at 3pm.

Over the past several days, the Department of Environmental Protection has received numerous calls regarding orange-tinted water pooling or bubbling up from the surface at several locations throughout the west side of the Wyoming Valley. Many of those locations are above abandoned mines, which are prevalent throughout the Wyoming Valley, given its history of coal mining. The DEP is aware of these incidents, has investigated them with on-site visits and has documented their occurrence. There have also been questions as to whether those incidents are related to, or have been triggered by, the mine subsidence that occurred on Toby Creek in Luzerne Borough on Sunday, April 14th.   At this time, the department has not been able to connect them to the subsidence on Toby Creek. However, many of the incidents have occurred previously and the DEP has documented and investigated them over the years. Typically, high water levels from underground mines occur after heavy precipitation, which we have experienced lately, and that can lead to water runoff/pooling with water on the surface. Iron coming out of solution leads to the orange tint in the water.

The department has also received complaints regarding a sewage/sulfur--like smell in the Duryea/Pittston and West Pittston areas. The DEP has been investigating the source of that odor and has been in contact with some sewage treatment plants to discuss their operations. At this time, the DEP cannot link the odors back to the subsidence or any underground mine issue.

The DEP encourages residents to report anything suspicious to the department: 570-826-2511, 24-hours a day.

In the meantime, the subsidence reclamation work on Toby Creek is ongoing and water continues to flow downstream. The hole has been plugged and DEP continues to monitor it. DEP appreciates the cooperation among all the agencies involved in the response. The department also wants to remind residents again to consider mine subsidence insurance to protect their properties. You can find more information at: Mine Subsidence Insurance (pa.gov)