WFMZ-TV | Jace Codi
READING, Pa. — The City of Reading is monitoring an oil leak into the Schuylkill River.
Reading Fire Marshal Jeremy Searfoss says approximately 15 to 20 gallons of oil entered the river. He believes someone dumped it into a stormwater drain that fed into the river.
Searfoss says booms were deployed to contain the material, with additional county resources brought in to support the effort. Public works will be removing the booms in the next day or so.
He says they’re monitoring the weather to remove the oil before the rain, and they’ll be reviewing video to see if anyone can be identified.
In a statement, the city said it is aware of several gallons of oil that entered the river and is working with its Public Works team, Fire Marshal’s Office, and Reading Police Department to take appropriate precautions and monitor the situation, including conditions with rain in the forecast this weekend.
“No discharge of oil or other substances into our rivers is permitted. Protecting the health of the Schuylkill River and the quality of our water resources is important to the City and our community,” the statement reads.
The city said it has identified an area where the discharge may have occurred and will review available surveillance footage.