HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania environmental officials have ordered that two warehouses proposed for use as federal detention facilities cannot receive water or sewage service or be occupied until the projects meet state environmental requirements.
What This Means For You
- State regulators ordered that proposed detention facilities cannot operate without environmental approvals.
- Local water and sewage providers are barred from serving the facilities until compliance is demonstrated.
- Officials cite concerns that the projects could strain drinking water and sewage infrastructure.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection issued five administrative orders Thursday directing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and several local authorities to halt water and sewage connections tied to the proposed facilities.
The orders affect two warehouses that DHS recently purchased in Schuylkill County and plans to convert into detention centers.
DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley said the department determined the projects raise concerns about potential impacts on local water supplies and wastewater treatment systems.
“Based on what the Department has learned about DHS’s plans to convert two commercial warehouses into detention centers for 9,000 people, there are serious concerns about the environmental impacts of these actions,” Shirley said.
Restrictions on Water and Sewage Service
DEP issued two orders to the Department of Homeland Security directing the agency not to use sewer systems operated by Upper Bern Township or the Schuylkill County Municipal Authority unless it first demonstrates compliance with state and federal environmental regulations.
The orders also prohibit DHS from using holding tanks or septic systems without required permits.
DEP further directed DHS not to use drinking water infrastructure from the Schuylkill County Municipal Authority or a private well at the Upper Bern Township site without department approval.
The facilities cannot be occupied until required permits and approvals are obtained, according to the orders.
Orders to Local Governments and Authorities
DEP also issued administrative orders to Tremont Township, Upper Bern Township, and the Schuylkill County Municipal Authority.
The orders prohibit the townships from allowing occupancy of the warehouses until sewage planning and permitting requirements are met.
Officials also directed the townships not to accept wastewater from holding tanks or portable toilets associated with the proposed detention centers without further authorization.
Both municipalities operate sewage treatment plants that may require redesign or expansion if they were to handle wastewater from facilities housing thousands of people.
Concerns About Infrastructure Capacity
The order issued to the Schuylkill County Municipal Authority prohibits the authority from providing drinking water to the proposed detention facilities through its Tremont water system.
DEP said the restriction is intended to prevent additional strain on infrastructure that is already supported through emergency measures.
The authority is also barred from providing sewage service or accepting wastewater from portable toilets at the facilities without additional approvals from Tremont Township and DEP.
State officials said construction or operational changes to water or sewage systems must receive department approval before they can proceed.
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