Water quality improvement within the Toby Creek Watershed is getting a boost, thanks to two grants awarded to Headwaters Charitable Trust through the Environmental Stewardship Fund (Growing Greener).
An award in the amount of $231,134 will be used in the Johnstown Inclined Plane Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) Treatment ID and Design project. This project will evaluate the chemistry and flow of the Bethlehem Mine #72, as well as evaluate commingling the discharge with an existing treatment plant and evaluate the potential to use the treated water for geothermal energy for heating and cooling within the treatment plant facility.
The additional award in the amount of $251,400 will aid in funding the operations of the Cooperative Nursery in Brockway. Run by the Toby Creek Watershed Association, the Cooperative Nursery uses water treated on site from acid mine discharge to raise trout. This treatment has been instrumental in reducing the impacts of abandoned mine drainage within the Toby Creek Watershed and in improving stream water quality, while also providing economic value.
