MINERAL TWP., Pa. (EYT) — Officials in Mineral Township say a sewage spill has contaminated a water source near Kimball Hill Road in Mineral Township.

According to a Mineral Township official, the spill occurred sometime during the week of October 15, when an area resident was attempting to remove an illegal tank that had been used for sewage. The sewage was pumped down over a hillside toward a spring on Kimball Hill Road.

Township officials were notified of the incident on the week of October 29, after another area resident discovered the visible remains of the sewage nearby. The resident who notified the township also contacted the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), however, the DEP does not regulate private well water or roadside springs.

According to officials, three residences in the general area of 186 Parker Lane, Polk, had previously used the spring as a water source, however, two of them had previously disconnected in favor of other water sources.

Officials also noted that other area residents sometimes stopped at the spring to collect containers of water for home use. Since the discovery of the spill, a sign has been posted which reads “drink at your own risk, possible contamination”

According to officials, due to the nature of the bacteria that can proliferate in untreated sewage, bacterial contamination could take anywhere from days to weeks to leach into the spring water and the bacteria could remain present in the water for an extended period of time.

Though no test results are available, the water is currently considered unsafe for any use.

A Sewage Enforcement Officer (SEO) is investigating the incident. Township officials will not release any names of the individuals involved or discuss any possible legal actions until the SEO’s full investigation is complete.