The shale gas drilling industry is quickly setting up shop in eastern parts of the state, with the number of wells expected to increase from around 80 to over 23-hundred in the next few years.
Paul Feezel with Carroll County Concerned Citizens says around 5-million gallons of water is used each time a well is “fracked,” which he fears could devastate water resources in the state.
Some drilling companies have signed contracts with cities, paying them for access to drinking water reservoirs.
And in southeast Ohio, the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District recently decided to allow water sales from public reservoirs, and many property owners are outraged.
Lea Harper with the Southeast Ohio Alliance to Save Our Water says her group is proactive in protecting the water supply and feels the Conservancy District should be as well.
Feezel says fracking could impact the amount of fresh water available for drinking, agriculture and recreational purposes.
Outside of an active conservancy district, drillers have full rights to water sources on public lands and can pay property owners for access to their private sources.
Companies just have to inform the state of their water source; there is no approval process. Some proponents say the sale of public water could help struggling Ohio communities.
Opponents and concerned citizens held a protest Friday before a Conservancy District meeting in New Philadelphia and a rally at the Tuscarawas County Courthouse.
