Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) updated the Upper Makefield community on the ongoing cleanup of the Sunoco Pipeline L.P. (SPLP) petroleum pipeline leak that was discovered in late January 2025, in the Mt. Eyre neighborhood of Washington Crossing in Upper Makefield Township, Bucks County. On April 10, 2025, DEP provided an update to residents through a virtual public meeting, where staff walked through DEP’s actions and efforts to protect residents’ water and ensure that pollution from the leak is cleaned up.
“We are using every resource available to our agency to ensure people impacted by this leak have access to clean drinking water, and that Sunoco is held fully accountable for the cleanup,” said Acting DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley.“ DEP personnel are closely monitoring every phase of the cleanup process to ensure that SPLP has thoroughly identified and addressed areas affected by the leak.”
On March 6, 2025, DEP issued an administrative order to SPLP requiring them to:
- Provide clean water to affected residents.
- Submit an implementation schedule for reporting.
- Submit an interim remedial action plan.
- Submit a Public Involvement Plan.
- Submit a vapor intrusion (VI) investigation progress report.
- Perform remediation in accordance with the Land Recycling and Environmental Remediation Standards Act (Act 2 of 1995).
Since the discovery of the pipeline leak, DEP’s Environment Cleanup and Brownfields (ECB) and Clean Water (CW) programs have been extensively involved through monitoring and assessing the affected area through inspections, field oversight, stream assessments and samplings, well water samplings, and attending public meetings.
DEP has actively engaged in a multi-agency coordinated response with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHSMA), Pennsylvania Department of Health (PADOH), and the Bucks County Department of Public Health.
Through its ongoing commitment to the community, DEP will continue to oversee all work that is being conducted to ensure it is done in accordance with all applicable laws and will continue to collect independent samples to verify results.
In addition, DEP will make sure the public's concerns are addressed by SPLP and is committed to holding meetings with stakeholders.
DEP will also continue to ensure point of entry treatment systems (POETs) are installed in homes where petroleum hydrocarbons are detected above the Statewide health standard to remove petroleum contamination from well water.
DEP is committed to proactive measures and issued SPLP three Chapter 105 water obstructions and encroachment general permits on March 24, 2025, to conduct exploratory investigations on the Twin Oaks Pipeline (the same pipeline in Upper Makefield Township) in Montgomery and Delaware counties.
Governor Josh Shapiro also sent a letter to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), calling on federal leaders to hold Energy Transfer accountable under their authority. The federal government has primary jurisdiction related to operation of the pipeline itself under the Pipeline Safety Act.
As Attorney General, Governor Shapiro negotiated a settlement with Energy Transfer to resolve violations associated with the construction of the ME2 pipeline. As part of the settlement agreement, Energy Transfer was required to pay $10 million toward dedicated projects that improve the quality of watersheds and streams along pipeline routes, including projects in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
For more information on the pipeline leak and to view the April 10 community webinar please visit the DEP Upper Makefield Pipeline webpage.
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