With the state's largest rural population, Westmoreland County has "a huge need" for the kind of information and services that only Penn State can provide, says Greg Phillips, CEO and district manager of the Westmoreland Conservation District. Find out how Westmoreland County is taking advantage of Penn State's resources, research, and reputation for high-quality expertise. Penn State for PA (PSU4PA) tells the stories of Pennsylvania residents whose businesses and communities have been transformed by Penn State teaching, research and service. (more)
A study of more than 200 drinking-water wells near Marcellus Shale natural-gas wells in 20 counties did not find statistically significant evidence of contamination from hydraulic fracturing -- a process used by gas drillers to release natural gas using a high-pressure mixture of water, sand and chemical additives. The study was conducted by researchers and extension educators in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences. (more)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Water Program has selected four clean-water projects initiated by Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences as Regional Projects of Excellence for the mid-Atlantic region. Administered by Penn State Extension, the selected projects were showcased at the recent 2011 Land Grant/Sea Grant National Water Conference in Washington, D.C. (more)
When it comes to water-test results, one of the murkiest problems facing homeowners is how to interpret the results, according to an expert in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences. And with the flood of Marcellus shale gas-drilling activity in Pennsylvania, there has been a steadily rising tide of information about water availability, water quality, water-testing procedures and what those tests indicate. (more)
Pennsylvania's two largest river basins are fountains of information channeling streams of water-quality data to researchers worldwide through remote sensors that dot these waterways. In light of the state's Marcellus shale gas boom, Penn State Cooperative Extension will sponsor a free, Web-based seminar, to air at 1 p.m. on June 17, that will address river monitoring in relation to natural-gas exploration. (more)
Some septic system stories are pure gold. One septic tank worker reportedly told some homeowners that they should "throw some raw steaks down in there" after he had pumped out their tank, in order to "get the system started up again." "Or, you could go ahead and cook the steak and eat it and get it in there a little later," said Dana Rizzo, water quality educator for Penn State Cooperative Extension in Westmoreland County. "That would work about as well, and you'd still get to enjoy the steak." "I usually include that story whenever I do a presentation," said Rizzo, who will conduct a free Web-based seminar titled "Managing Your On-Lot Septic System," which will air Wednesday, May 26, at noon and again at 7 p.m. She said she intends to cover on-lot septic system basics, how they function, how to maintain them, troubleshooting, what homeowners should do if they have a problem and whom to contact if major repairs or new installations are needed. (more)
Public water systems are required by law to protect customers and regularly test for impurities. But in Pennsylvania, 3.5 million residents are served by private water systems, such as wells, springs and cisterns, and they have no such legal oversight. "If you own your own private supply, it's all your own responsibility to provide clean water to yourself, the people in your family and the people who come to visit," said Peter Wulfhorst, educator with Penn State Cooperative Extension in Pike County. Wulfhorst will be the featured speaker in the next Penn State Extension Water Webinar, titled "Safe Drinking Water Clinic," which will air at noon and again at 7 p.m. on April 28. (more)
The grass sometimes looks greener on the other side of the fence -- or in the other corner of the state -- not necessarily because it actually is greener, but because a disturbance in one's own backyard makes the local situation lose its luster. That's the case with some property owners in southwestern Pennsylvania as they compare their situations to landowners in the northeastern counties as the shale-gas boom continues to reverberate around the commonwealth. (more)
Bryan Swistock is sort of the Dr. Phil for pond owners -- they call him when they are having problems. And this time of year, he has a lot of patients. (more)
Green, fuzzy water isn't a given when it comes to Pennsylvania ponds, but aesthetic qualities can go down the drain quickly if water features aren't managed properly. Water quality, wildlife and plant control will be featured in "Managing Your Pond or Lake," a Web-based seminar at noon and 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 31. It is the third of five water-quality webinars being offered by Penn State Cooperative Extension this spring. Other topics include water testing, septic systems and safe drinking water. (more)
