Peters Creek restoration completion still years off

Tim Schumann remembers growing up around Peters Creek when it was polluted, and his parents wouldn't let him near it.The poor conditions prompted Schumann, president of the Peters Creek Watershed and treasurer of the Anglers Association, to help improve the quality of the creek for the past several decades and increase the species of fish from four to more than 20, he said."Peters Creek has definitely been making a comeback since the '70s," he said. "I grew up around here, so I know how polluted it was."But in July, more than 21 species of fish died in the Jefferson Hills section of Peters Creek after a Pennsylvania American Water pipe break in South Park flooded the township's road salt supply and washed it into the water."It was a sad sight," Schumann said. "It went way up, and that was enough to kill the fish."The Peters Creek is healing, but it will take three to five years, Schumann said.Pennsylvania American Water paid for the restoration, about $40,000 total to Jefferson Hills, the Peters Creek Watershed, the Anglers Association, South Park Township and GenOn Energy in Elrama in Washington County, Schumann said.The borough received about $1,500 from Traveler's Insurance to restock the creek, said Tom Lovell, director of public works in Jefferson Hills. Borough council approved releasing Pennsylvania American Water from further obligations last month.The creek has been restocked with trout three times since the accident, including April, just in time for the start of fishing season, Schumann said."That definitely gives us incentive to continue," he said.