Water Quality Tests

PPL sampled water in the Delaware River as it cleaned up the ash spilled from an ash basin at its Martins Creek power plant. Based on the results of extensive water tests, we have no reason to believe there is any danger to human health. This includes recreational uses of the river. To read a statement from public health physician Cynthia Goodman, M.D., M.S., of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, click on the link in the Additional Resources box.

Our river tests show that the river does not exceed any DEP water quality standards for coal ash constituents in river water. Our tests of Easton's drinking water show that it meets the federal Environmental Protection Agency and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection drinking water standards for all coal ash constituents.

Test results from residential wells to date show that they are below federal and state drinking water standards for arsenic, selenium and mercury. PPL has tested more than 240 residential wells at the request of homeowners near Martins Creek and downriver from the power plant.

All water analysis and testing was done by two National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Council (NELAC)-accredited laboratories – Analytical Laboratory Services, Inc. of Middletown, Pa., and Lancaster Laboratories of Lancaster, Pa.

Pennsylvania DEP river tests

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection also tested river water following the ash spill at PPL’s Martins Creek plant. To view the DEP test results, click on the link below.

DEP River Tests