Mine Drainage Info.
Map of McDonald Borough Allegheny Co.
Map of McDonald Borough and surrounding area
Map of McDonald Borough, Washington Co.
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OVERVIEW
On January 25, 2005, DEP and federal Office of Surface Mining officials
responded to a breakout of mine water from the former Pittsburgh Coal
Company's Nickel Plate Company mine in McDonald, Washington County. More
than 10,000 gallons per minute (GPM) of mine drainage was flowing from a
point along Liberty Avenue. Borough contractors, searching for a water
leak, uncovered the breakout site about 1:30 pm.
DEP staff met with McDonald Borough, Washington County Emergency
Management, and federal Office of Surface Mining officials to develop an
emergency action plan to handle the rapid flow of water and its potential
threat to homes and businesses near the breakout site. At the time of the
breakout, a business and a church were taking on water, and one house had
been evacuated. DEP Emergency Response, along with members of the McDonald
Borough Fire Department and the Washington County Hazardous Materials
Team, constructed sand banks along Liberty and North McDonald Streets to
channel the mine drainage into a catch basin, which then drained into
Robinson Run, a tributary to Chartiers Creek. Two days later, the federal
Office of Surface Mining replaced the banks with two diesel pumps and
piping to remove the mine water flow from the streets.
Throughout the week, DEP Mine Subsidence Staff provided public assistance
in the McDonald Borough building. Staff members answered questions,
provided mining information, and assisted those wishing to apply for Mine
Subsidence Insurance (MSI), as the insurance does cover damages resulting
from unexpected mine blowout situations like these. Over a three-day
period, several hundred people visited the borough building and hundreds
of MSI applications were received.
As the mine drainage levels off, DEP and federal Office of Surface Mining
officials will monitor mine pool levels in the area to devise a permanent
solution for discharging future drainage in a safe and controlled manner.
If you would like to obtain Mine Subsidence Insurance, or if you have
questions, please contact our office at 1-800-922-1678.
If you would like more information about Mine Subsidence Insurance,
visit our website at www.PaMSI.org
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