Despite Covid-19, The Shell Pipeline Co., has almost completed a project to better protect drinking water supplies along the Falcon Ethane Pipeline. The agreement between the pipeline company and Ambridge Water Authority signed last year, envisages building a backup water connection to the neighbouring West View Water authority in case of an interruption to the freshwater line from the Ambridge Reservoir.

The 97-mile system project is designed to connect three major ethane source points in the American Midwestern states of Pennsylvania and Ohio. Once the various water protection measures are completed by the owners of the Falcon Ethane pipeline, safe drinking water supplies to around 30,000 people living in the Beaver County area, will be ensured. Meanwhile, the pipeline company has established an emergency response station near where it’s Falcon Ethane Pipeline crosses the Ambridge Water Authority’s freshwater pipeline. In addition, it has provided the water authority with 5 large replacement joints to be used as required.

This work was demanded by local environmental groups such as Protect Ambridge Reservoir, the Breathe Project and the Beaver County Marcellus Awareness Community to alleviate environmental concerns arising from pipelines.