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Defunct utility in Mineral County has been polluting Potomac River

July 20th, 2016 by WCBC Radio

The Cumberland Times News reports officials in Mineral County have petitioned the West Virginia Public Service Commission, seeking to take over a neglected residential wastewater treatment facility that has been sending raw sewage to the Potomac River. In June, County Coordinator Michael Bland asked the PSC to allow the Frankfort Public Service District to assume ownership and operation of Mountainaire Village Utility, LLC. That utility, owned by Timothy Peer, had served about 75 homes along the east side of state Route 28 just south of Scenic Lane.

Bland's letter included a May 26, 2016, agreement signed by Peer and Douglas L. Brelsford, chairman of the public service district that would transfer the utility company at no cost and with no responsibility for previous matters.

The Cumberland Times-News emailed on Wednesday morning the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection to ask about the duration and volume of raw sewage flows.

No response had been received by mid-afternoon.

Jay Apperson, a spokesman for the Maryland Department of the Environment, said that agency is looking into the situation as well.

 

The Potomac River is a Maryland entity.

According to Bland's letter, the Frankfort PSD is nearing completion of a new sewage project and will be able to serve the former Mountainaire Village Utility customers.

The raw sewage, according to Bland, is discharged first into a tributary of Patterson Creek and eventually reaches the North Branch of the Potomac River.

The mouth of Patterson Creek is across the Potomac from Maryland Route 51 near its juncture with Collier Run Road.

Bland said DEP representatives plan to be on site sometime Thursday to meet with PSD officials.

 

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