TROY - The state Department of Environmental Protection, along with Chesapeake Energy, is investigating methane migration into two private drinking water wells near one of Chesapeake's well pads, said DEP spokesman Kevin Sunday.
According to Sunday, the two wells "have methane in the headspace and have been vented."
"A mobile water treatment unit has been set up at one residence and a methane monitor installed in the home and a temporary water supply tank has been set up at the other residence," he said, adding DEP has sampled four private wells in the area.
There also has been gas bubbling documented in nearby wetlands, Sunday said.
Chesapeake's Morse well pad contains two wells and is about one-half mile from the impacted private wells.
"DEP, Chesapeake and their private contractor are actively investigating, trying to determine the cause of the methane in the water wells," Sunday said.
Chesapeake's consultant is screening all private wells within a 2,500-foot radius of the Morse pad.
The investigation is continuing and no determination has been made as to the source or sources of the methane.
According to Brian Grove, Chesapeake Energy's senior director of corporate development, Chesapeake was alerted to a complaint regarding residential water supplies and nearby surface water in LeRoy Township, Bradford County, on Saturday.
"Chesapeake is working cooperatively with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to investigate the situation," he said in a prepared statement.
The area under investigation is about three miles from a blowout at Chesapeake's Atgas well last spring.
DEP fined Chesapeake more than $500,000 for that incident.
