The EPA expands the investigation into whether or not Dimock Township water wells are contaminated. Residents in the region have been involved in a heated debate on the issue since November. Our Melissa Kakareka brings us the latest on the EPA's involvement in the situation.

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DIMOCK TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- The controversy continues over whether or not the water of eleven families in Dimock Township is contaminated from a natural gas drilling operation three years ago.

"We've been talking with residents for quite some time. They requested we get involved. We came out and talked to residents to find out concerns and got data from them, then we got in contact with the DEP and have been in communication for several months and we will continue to do that," said Trish Taylor, EPA Community Involvement Coordinator.

Cabot Oil and Gas previously delivered fresh water to the affected families, but the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection ruled the gas drilling company had fulfilled all of its obligations in November. Now the EPA is delivering fresh water to four homes in the area after finding contaminants.

"The data results that we've been reviewing have come from DEP, Cabot, residents, so it's been reviewed for chemical compounds known to be associated with drilling operations, as well as heavy metals and other organic compounds we would normally look at for potential health risks," Taylor said.

The EPA plans to begin its own water sampling at 60 homes in the region this coming week.

Meanwhile, the Department of Environmental Protection says it has already analyzed and addressed the situation, but will work to bring the EPA up to date. Until then, residents on Carter Road are happy about the extra support.

"We're ecstatic. I mean, this is unbelievable. We were down to about six inches in the tank before they came here today. We would have been out of water in a matter of no time, so for them to come like this and they said they will bring it as much as we want, too, so finally this Sunday, I don't have to spend the day going looking for water," said Craig Sautner.

"The EPA is here, delivering water. It's great. It's phenomenal. We'd like them to be delivering to everybody," Craig Stevens said.

The EPA estimates it will take at least three weeks before the additional sampling is finished.