Pa. board to vote on water pipe in drilling area

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The board of a Pennsylvania state water and sewer project financing agency will decide whether to offer nearly $12 million to extend a municipal water line to residents in the midst of heavy Marcellus Shale gas drilling.

The Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority board meets today on the application by the Pennsylvania American Water Co.

The state Department of Environmental Protection backs the step and is threatening to sue a Houston-based drilling company unless it agrees to pay the cost.

State officials say Cabot Oil & Gas’ operations in Susquehanna County contaminated the water wells of 14 people in Dimock and Bridgewater with methane gas. Cabot denies it’s responsible for the polluted water wells.

Residents are to be connected to the water system of Montrose, a town about six miles away.