$1.6M settlement in Pa. gas-drilling lawsuit

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Three northeastern Pennsylvania families have reached a $1.6 million settlement with a gas drilling company over contaminated water wells.

Attorneys say they believe it is the first Marcellus Shale pollution case to be openly settled.

Jared McMicken of Wyalusing says the agreement reached Thursday is more bitter than sweet since his drinking water was ruined by nearby drilling and his family must move.

The dispute with Oklahoma-based Chesapeake Energy began in 2010. The town is about 160 miles northwest of Philadelphia.

Chesapeake says in a statement that it believes there is no permanent damage to the properties and that other water wells in the area showed natural contamination before drilling began.

Atty. John Romano says he’s representing about 30 other families in the region with similar claims.