Manheim Township High School Report 11.10.22

3800-FM-WSWM0169A Rev.
1/2012 COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
BUREAU OF POINT AND NON-POINT SOURCE MANAGEMENT
GENERAL INSPECTION REPORT (Non-NPDES)

Type of Inspection WQM Permit Number County Municipality
Complaint N/A Lancaster Manheim Township
Name and Location of Facility or Pollution Incident Entry Time/Date

Manheim Township High School 11/10/2022; 1030
Exit Time/Date
11/10/2022; 1400
Name, Address of Responsible Party Title
Thomas Koch Plant Manager
115 Blue Streak Blvd
Lancaster, PA 17601 Telephone Contacted
717-808-6069
Yes No
SUMMARY OF VIOLATIONS/RECOMMENDATION/COMMENTS:
A discharge of propylene glycol, a polluting substance, to the stormwater collection system and to a UNT to Landis Run, both waters of
the Commonwealth, is a violation of Sections 401 and 402 of the Clean Streams Law.
Failure to immediately notify the Department of a pollution or potential for pollution incident is a violation of 25 PA Code § 91.33.
Compliance Assistance Provided

Pollution Prevention Activity
Sample No. Location Field Measurements and Observations
Inspector Name Inspector Signature Title Date 11/22/2022

Patrick McGee Environmental Trainee Telephone
717-756-5220
Name of Person Interviewed Signature of Person Interviewed Title Date 11/22/2022
Thomas Koch Plant Manager Telephone
717-808-6069
This document is official notification that a representative of the Department of Environmental Protection, inspected the above facility or
site. The findings of this inspection are shown above and on any attached pages.
Any violations which were uncovered during the inspection are indicated. Violations may also be discovered upon examination of the
results of laboratory analyses of the discharge and review of Department records. Notification will be forthcoming, if such violations are
noted.
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3800-FM-WSWM0169A Rev. 1/2012 COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
GENERAL INSPECTION REPORT (Non-NPDES)

Name and Location of Facility or Pollution Incident County Municipality
Manheim Township High School Lancaster Manheim Township
Additional Remarks
On November 10th, 2022 Patrick McGee (Environmental Trainee), Shawn Lesitsky (Environmental Trainee), Sam Albright
(Environmental Trainee), Cody Hoy (Environmental Trainee), and Brandon Bettinger (Water Quality Specialist) responded to an odor
complaint originating at the south athletic fields retention basin at approximately 1030. After speaking with the complainant, two
potential impacted areas were identified. A strong, pungent odor similar to raw sewage was observed at Basin 1, while a chemical like
odor was detected at Basin 2. Visual observations at Outfall 1 showed a visible milky cloudiness with a visible sheen with a bluish hue.
Rags and stringy-like organic deposits were also visible throughout the swale. Visual observations at Outfall 2 also showed a visible
milky cloudiness that was a darker blue with what appeared to be soapy-like bubbles. As the rest of the retention basin was observed,
greyish sewage like deposits were visible with the accompanying odor.
DEP personnel attempted to identify the source by tracing the flow of the stormwater system. Upon further investigation, pungent odors
were observed at numerous storm drains just below the High School parking lot.
Mr. Albright spoke with Bill Sauers (Assistant Director of Public Works at Manheim Township) and he advised that the Lancaster Area
Sewer Authority (LASA) owned the sewer lines in that area. LASA was contacted by Mr. Hoy about a possible sewer overflow or pipe
break. Two LASA operators (Mark Heiser, Scott Marter) responded promptly and identified the LASA owned lines and advised that the
lines in question were owned by the Manheim Township School District.
At this point, Mr. Lesitsky and Mr. Hoy spoke with the security secretary of the High School who notified Chris Sharp (Plant Supervisor)
and Scott Macarty (Grounds Guide). Mr. Sharp came to the site and DEP personnel informed him of the complaint and the observed
areas of concern. Mr. Sharp then notified Thomas Koch (Plant Manager) and William Hinkle (MTHS Plumber) in order to access
manholes and the related facilities. After an extended period of further investigation, Mr. Hinkle identified the chemical like odor at the
field irrigation pump station as similar to the odor in the High School’s basement.
All personnel proceeded to the High School basement where it was discovered that a propylene glycol leak had originated from the
Geothermal system. The odor was instantly recognizable to that of the retention basins and storm drains. At that time, MTHS staff
indicated that the pump valves had been releasing coolant for approximately two weeks, corresponding to the time they were first
turned on for the season. The complaint had also noted the odor for approximately a month. Coolant entered the lower level of the
basement where it infiltrated the Artesian Well collection system that routinely discharged into the stormwater collection system
(capacity of the Artesian Well collection system is about 10,000 gallons and is pumped out based on a float meter). After speaking with
Clean Water Supervisor Summer Kunkel, it was recommended that the pumps should cease operation immediately and that a cleanup
crew should be contacted for the basin and basement.
JG Environmental was contacted by Mr. Koch, along with Horst Excavating and Kline’s Services. Upon arrival, it was determined that
Kline’s was not needed. JG Environmental and Mr. Koch discussed the steps that were necessary to remedy the source of pollutants
and clean the basins. The School District staff roped off the impacted areas as recommended by DEP personnel. JG Environmental
noted that removal of contaminated water was the top priority due to upcoming weather events.
In order to measure the extent of the pollution event, DEP personnel followed a UNT to Landis Run and found that it impacted 0.2 miles
downstream of Outfall 1. During this measurement, a homeowner along the waterway reached out about an odor she had also noted by
the waterway for the last few weeks.
DEP personnel observed the beginnings of the remediation operations and departed from the site at approximately 1400.
A conversation via phone call was conducted at 1225 hours on 11/16/2022 between Mr. Bettinger and Mr. Koch. Mr. Koch stated that
the glycol utilized in the school’s geothermal system was confirmed by the manufacturer to be PolyGlycol. Additionally, Mr. Koch stated
that the PolyGlycol spill observed on 11/10/2022 was a result of a failing pressure relief valve. The faulty valve was replaced by the
facility, but a pump gasket leak continues to accumulate on the floor at a rate of approximately one gallon per day. Mr. Koch stated that
the gasket is scheduled to be replaced on 11/25/2022. Facility maintenance crews installed a makeshift dam out of 2x4s and silicone to
prevent migration of the PolyGlycol to the Artesian Well collection system groundwater pit. Polyglycol accumulating in the dam is being
absorbed by cat litter and absorbent pads. Mr. Koch also stated that JG Environmental completed cleanup of the impacted stormwater
basins and the groundwater pit.
On November 18th, 2022 Mr. McGee (Environmental Trainee) and Mr. Lesitsky (Environmental Trainee) conducted a follow up
inspection with Mr. Koch, Mr. Sharp, and Mr. Hinkle at approximately 1000. Mr. Hinkle noted that Kline’s had visited the facility earlier in
the morning and scheduled an additional visit early next week to pump out the underground cistern where they believed about 2-ft of
anaerobic conditions and debris at the bottom of the tank had led to the original odor complaints. In addition to the irrigation vault, both
outfalls and their corresponding retention basins appeared to have been properly cleaned out and no noticeable odors were noted. The
Page 2 of 13
mechanical room was inspected and continuing containment measures were observed. It was noted that ALS Environmental had taken
outfall samples following the cleanup measures and results were pending. An updated Safety Data Sheet was also provided from the
manufacturer of the Propylene Glycol by Mr. Koch. Additionally, Mr. Koch noted that while the pumps did have a small leak, the main
spill contributor was a glycol feeder tank that remained open after the air condenser failed and a 50-gallon tank experienced an
overflow. The Department requested that the Standard Industrial Code (SIC) or the North American Industry Classification System
(NAICS) code be provided to determine whether the facility is required to obtain a permit with the Department. The.Stormwater
Management Plan for the facility was also requested. DEP personnel departed from the site at approximately 1110.
Type text here
Inspector Name Inspector Signature Date

Patrick McGee 11/22/2022
Page 3 of 13
Photos
Image 1: Observation Just Beyond Outfall 1 (11/10/2022)
Page 4 of 13
Photos
Image 2: Additional Observation Just Beyond Outfall 1 (11/10/2022)
Page 5 of 13
Photos
Image 3: Milky Blue Cloudiness and Soapy-Like Foam Observation at Outfall 2 (11/10/2022)
Page 6 of 13
Photos
Image 4: Greyish Sewage Like Deposits Observed Just Beyond Outfall 2 (11/10/2022)
Page 7 of 13
Photos
Image 5: Source of Glycol Leak Observed in Manheim Township High School Basement
(11/10/2022)
Page 8 of 13
Photos
Image 6: Outfall 1 Following Cleanup (11/18/2022)
Page 9 of 13
Photos
Image 7: Outfall 2 Following Cleanup (11/18/2022)
Page 10 of 13
Photos
Image 8: Leak Containment Observed in Manheim Township High School Basement

(11/18/2022)
Page 11 of 13
Photos

(11/18/2022)
Page 12 of 13
Photos
(11/18/2022)
Page 13 of 13

Manheim Township High School Report 11.10.22

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3800-FM-WSWM0169A Rev.

1/2012 COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

GENERAL INSPECTION REPORT (Non-NPDES)

Complaint N/A Lancaster Manheim Township

Name and Location of Facility or Pollution Incident Entry Time/Date

Compliance Assistance Provided

Inspector Name Inspector Signature Title Date 11/22/2022

GENERAL INSPECTION REPORT (Non-NPDES)

Inspector Name Inspector Signature Date

Image 1: Observation Just Beyond Outfall 1 (11/10/2022)

Image 2: Additional Observation Just Beyond Outfall 1 (11/10/2022)

Image 6: Outfall 1 Following Cleanup (11/18/2022)

Image 7: Outfall 2 Following Cleanup (11/18/2022)

Image 8: Leak Containment Observed in Manheim Township High School Basement

Image 9: Leak Containment Observed in Manheim Township High School Basement

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