Water quality in the South Branch Blacklick Creek has significantly improved with the completion of the Revloc Mine refuse pile reclamation.  The next significant discharge into the stream is the Webster Mine discharge and Pergrin Run in Nanty-glo, PA.  The Webster Mine discharges an average of 450 gpm of highly acidic water, with high levels of sulfate and metals into Pergrin Run at its confluence with South Branch Blacklick Creek.  U.S. Army Corps of Engineers oversaw the development, design, and construction of the treatment system.  Discharge water is piped from the mine opening to the treatment system.  The system consist of two 4 acre clay-lined vertical flow ponds of limestone and compost.  Water from the ponds flow into a 2.3 acre wetland.  The system is designed to neutralize the acidity, reduce sulfate and filter out the precipitated metals.  Treated water then enters Pergrin Run at the confluence with South Branch Blacklick Creek.  Pergrin Run is severely degraded by runoff from the Lorraine refuse pile along its banks.  Re-mining of the refuse pile has begun.  The removal of the pile will significantly improve the water quality of the stream.

The treatment system is currently not functioning as designed.  PADEP evaluated the system and determined that redesigning the system was not economically feasible. They are currently negotiating with the owner of a active treatment plant nearby, how ever they have not been able to reach an agreement.  Reports, maps, photos, and water sampling results have been posted on the Datashed website at www.datashed.org.

Webster Mine Passive Treatment System Site Map