DEP Suspects Pesticides Or Herbicides Killed Thousands Of Fish In Chartiers Creek

By: KDKA-TV News Staff

UPPER ST. CLAIR, Pa. (KDKA) - The Department of Environmental Protection suspects the application of pesticides or herbicides killed thousands of fish along a 10-mile stretch of Chartiers Creek.

Officials believe the start of the fish kill is Chartiers Creek near Valley Brook Road. An investigation began Friday.

The DEP estimates thousands of fish of many different species and other aquatic life died.

The stench of dead fish near the creek was unmistakable. Residents described the scene like one out of a horror movie, calling it "Stephen King-type of stuff."

"I was fuming," Bridgeville resident Jake Conroy said. "Somebody has to be held responsible for this because Mother Nature didn't do that."

A spokesperson told KDKA if a pollutant was responsible for the deaths, a person or company would face fines as opposed to criminal charges.