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Residents and water districts press commissioners for three-year moratorium on injection well permitting
Summary
During public comment, residents and local water associations asked the board to seek a three-year moratorium on state injection well permits, cited PFAS costs and raised concerns about ODNR oversight and seismicity; the board acknowledged concerns and noted related state-level activity.
Several residents and representatives of local water associations used the public-comment period at the Nov. 20 meeting to urge the Washington County Board of Commissioners to seek stronger controls on injection wells and to protect local aquifers.
George Banziger said Deeprock was late in filing commercial activity taxes on five occasions this year and raised questions about the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ capacity to monitor injection wells. Jay Huck, representing Putnam Water and identified as a Muskingum Township trustee, said Putnam Water and Muskingum Township passed resolutions requesting a three-year moratorium on injection well permitting from the state and presented copies of the resolutions to the board. Judy Mercer said Highland Ridge Water Association passed a similar resolution.
Jim Bir, speaking for Putnam Water, said the district will spend $1 million on PFAS treatment and warned that injection wells are under pressure and could migrate upward. Dawn Hewitt and Dee Arnold expressed distrust of ODNR oversight and raised concerns about an uptick in seismic activity; Arnold said a community meeting with three experts is scheduled for Dec. 16 at Washington State Community College.
Visitor Kevin Tornes alleged an ownership connection, stating that an Ohio senator’s wife owns the wells; that claim was presented as an allegation in public comment and was not addressed by county staff during the meeting. County President Charlie L. Schilling acknowledged the concerns and said safe water is a priority, and that issues discussed with the state include how ODNR conducts public meetings, plugging orphan wells, and state revenue from injection wells. Flite Freimann, Director of Job & Family Services, said a Senate Bill passed the previous night that will return injection-well revenue to the county, per her statement to the board.
The public comment exchange recorded in the meeting did not produce a formal board vote on the moratorium request or an immediate directive; residents were advised of a community meeting on Dec. 16 for additional expert testimony.
