In Pennsylvania, the Tioga River is all but dead. Years of pollution from coal mines created what’s called acid mine drainage — when minerals like pyrite from underground are left exposed, come into contact with water and oxygen, and bleed acidity into waterways, carrying toxic metals and choking out wildlife.
But in the early 2000s, local activists decided that it didn’t have to be this way. They worked for years to get grants to bring the Tioga River back to life. Scientists are now working on adding an active treatment facility to accompany two smaller existing ones, all designed to clean up the Tioga once and for all.
Reporter: Audrey Carleton
Producer: Cerise Castle
Editor: Jayrol San Jose