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Pennsylvania American Water issued the order on Oct. 17 after the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection opened an investigation into the "reports of a petroleum-type odor and sheen on the Conodoguinet Creek in Silver Spring Township," as stated in a release by the PA DEP.
The leak was determined to be coming from "an underground storage tank at the Cumberland-Perry Area Career and Technical Center on Old Willow Mill Road, Mechanicsburg," according to DEP responders.
The smell was mainly near Route 114, Bent Creek Blvd, and low-lying areas around the creek, according to the Silver Spring Community Fire Company.
Although DEP officials were able to stop the leak, the amount of oil that seeped into the creek is unknown.
"The tank had contained 9,100 gallons of heating oil, and passed a pressurized tightness test in August," as stated in the DEP release.
The oily sheen is still visible on some parts of the creek, so absorbent booms have been placed in it to help with cleanup efforts.
"There have been no observed impacts to wildlife," the DEP said.
The Pennsylvania American Water order asks customers "to temporarily limit their water use to essential purposes only, with a targeted use reduction between 10-15%."
The order includes the following areas:
Silver Spring Township
- Hampden Township
- Lower Allen Township
- Lemoyne
- Wormleysburg
- East Pennsboro Township
- New Cumberland
- Fairview Township
- Shiremanstown
- Camp Hill
- Newberry Township
"Pennsylvania American Water is working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible," the company said. "Additionally, the company has increased production at its West Shore Water Treatment Plant, which also serves the Mechanicsburg water system, and opened an emergency interconnection with (Veolia Water)."
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