(A News and Sentinel Op-Ed - Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

The issue of clean water is not or shouldn’t be a partisan issue in our community. Everyone wants clean safe water to drink and a safe environment for ourselves, our children and our grandchildren. I went to the Warren water public meeting on April 26 at the Warren High School auditorium. There was a large number of concerned citizens in attendance. Maybe they, like me had concerns about the number of brine trucks that are seen everywhere, everyday on our roads and coming through our towns. Maybe they, like me, are worried about the number of injection wells that we have in this area. We learned Saturday that Washington County already has 17 Class 2 Wells — more than any other county in Ohio. Is this something that we want to be known for?

Warren Water and Sewer Association has raised the concern at the most recent request from Deep Rock Disposal Solutions for a permit for an injection well off Ohio 7 near Bramblewood Heights. Apparently, their site of operations is along the Ohio River and train tracks near Shelly and Sands. A public hearing has not been required on the permit by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources due to a technicality. The permit was filed in November of 2021.

We learned Saturday that brine from oil and gas drilling operations is stored in injection wells. The concern is that radioactivity from the brine and hazardous compounds could make their way into our drinking water. We were told about a well near Clarksburg that had leaked. It was cleaned up but they couldn’t get rid of the radioactivity — once radioactivity is present, it can’t be removed and it ruins the water source permanently. Contaminants can leach into groundwater, impact nearby ecosystems, and potentially affect human health through exposure to contaminated food, water or air.

We were told that this latest injection well by Deep Rock Solutions is part of their plan to accept waste by rail and by river barge to store in their facility tanks on the Ohio River and it can be as much as 2,200,000 gallons of toxic, radioactive waste. We also were told that all along the Ohio River there are fault lines and as a petroleum engineer stated, nobody should ever be drilling where there are fault lines.

So far there have not been any wells operated by the Warren association that have been contaminated by the brine from an injection well. But it’s what could happen in the future if radioactive contamination or toxic chemicals reach the aquifers. These concerned members are trying to head off a possible catastrophe. Is it really worth it to take this kind of risk to what could happen to our communities? They want to hear from Deep Rock Solutions and our representatives who we elected to serve us, as to what they are thinking. But they can’t get anyone to meet with them or now us — the large group at Warren High School auditorium.

Brian Chavez (our elected Ohio Senator for the 30th District, which includes Warren Township and Marietta) happens to be the CEO of Deep Rock Solutions. Isn’t that ironic? He was invited to attend this meeting Saturday and he was not there. Kevin Ritter, who is Ohio State representative for the 94th district, which includes Warren Township and Marietta, said he had a prior commitment Saturday and only one of the Washington County Commissioners was there.

Certainly we are all interested in clean water for our communities. Aren’t we?

Certainly all of us are interested in not jeopardizing our water supply aren’t we? Certainly, we wouldn’t want to take the chance of leaks or spills and cause necessary cleanups and take the risk of contaminating our water source with radioactivity and forever chemicals. Do we?

As previously stated, If radioactivity gets into our water supply, there will be no way to get it out. What will happen to our communities and our property values? Who would want to live here? Why on earth would anyone want more contaminants brought into our county when we already lead the way for the number of injection wells? The answer is money. People who have allowed these injection wells on their properties have made a lot of money. Companies like Deep Rock Solutions stand to make lots of money storing up to 2,200,000 gallons of toxic, radioactive waste in their facility tanks. We are getting all of these injection wells and brine because the rest of the state doesn’t want anything to do with the toxicity of this stuff. But we have to ask ourselves, is this scenario good for us? Are injection wells close to our water source good for our environment, our health or our well being? Or maybe more aptly, are injection wells good for our environment wherever they are located? Do we really want barges and railroad cars carrying toxic, radioactive waste through our communities? What if there is an accident? Do we want to be another East Palestine? Do you think anyone wants to move to East Palestine now? We have to ask ourselves, does making money for a few justify the possible risks for the collective whole?

We need to strongly oppose the permitting of another Class 2 injection well in Washington County. Trustees and concerned citizens have requested a meeting with Eric Vendel, chief of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Oil and Gas Resources. He needs to meet with us. Brian Chavez, our Ohio Senator and CEO of Deep Rock Solutions needs to meet with his concerned constituents who made it possible for him to have the position. Kevin Ritter, our Ohio State Rep. who we elected, needs to meet with us as well as the Washington County Commissioners. We are interested in the well being of our communities and the safety of the water we all drink and they should be too.

Eric Vendel — 614-265-6631 Email: eric.vendel@dr.state.oh.us. Address: 2045 Morse Rd. Columbus Oh 43229

Brian Chavez — 614-466-6508. Email: chavez@ohiosenate.gov. Address: Senate Bldg. 1 Capitol Square Ground floor 034 Columbus OH

Kevin Ritter — 614-466-2158. Email: rep94@ohiohouse.gov. Address: 77 S.High St. 11th Floor Columbus OH 43215

Washington County Commissioners

Charlie Schilling

James Booth

740-373-6623.

Email: schilling@wcgov.org; eplace@wcgov.org; jbooth@wcgov.org.

223 Putnam St., Marietta, OH, 45750

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Dee Wells Arnold is a retired teacher and concerned citizen living in Marietta.