The owners of Homer City Power Plant were concerned about a reliable source of water for use at the plant.  To solve the problem, they constructed a dam across Two Lick Creek, creating a reservoir.  There are three large, abandoned mine discharges that flow directly into the reservoir: Dixon Run Mine (treated by an active treatment plant), Penn Hills #1 Mine (currently not being treated), and Penn Hills #2 Mine (treated by a passive treatment system).  The Penn Hills #2 Mine discharge is one of the largest discharges in the Two Lick watershed.

There are three passive treatment systems built at the Penn Hills #2 Mine site and are identified as System 1, System 2A and System 2B.  The mine discharge is split and a portion flows to each system.  Each system has a vertical flow pond where water percolates through a layer of compost and limestone and flows into a settling ponds.  System 1 has it’s own settling pond; Systems 2A and 2B flow into the same settling pond.  Treated water from all systems flows directly into the reservoir.  The Penn Hills #2 project was constructed in 2002 and is located in Cherryhill Township, Indiana County.  Water samples are collected on a quarterly basis.  Reports, maps, photos, and water sampling results have been posted on the Datashed website at www.datashed.org.