Highland Field Services LLC has been issued a chief’s order to begin injecting brine at the injection well it has built in Brookfield between Wyngate Manor Mobile Home Park and Merwin Chase Road, a spokesman for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources said Oct. 29.
“That’s disgusting,” said Gloria Douglas, a resident of Wyngate Manor and key member of Brookfield Citizens Against Injection Wells. “That’s terrible.”
The group is looking at its legal options, and Jane Spies, co-founder of Frackfree National Coalition, which has helped Brookfield citizens organize, said she plans to meet with an attorney Oct. 30.
Contributed photo of the Brookfield injection well.
The group has talked for some time about filing an appeal.
The order allowing disposal of waste water generated by the oil and gas drilling industry becomes final 30 days after issuance, and appeals can be filed within 30 days of the order becoming final, according to the order.
The order was dated Oct. 22, but signed Oct. 24.
“We still believe the injection well is an irresponsible risk to public health, safety and welfare,” Spies said.
Opponents fear earthquakes, well water contamination and traffic tie-ups caused by the trucks going into and out of the well site.
The order says the well complies with state law and “does not jeopardize public health or safety and is in accordance with good conservation practices.”
“The Division has conducted over 40 inspections of the well, including witnessing key phases of well drilling and construction, construction of the surface facility, and testing of the injection well,” Irwin said.
An email to a Highland spokesman sent late in the work day Oct. 29 was not immediately returned.
The order also sets 15 conditions including limiting injection pressure to 1,750 pounds per square inch; including a shutoff switch in the event the pressure exceeds that mark; continuous monitoring and recording of injection pressures and the ring between the injection tubing and production casing; and seismic monitoring.
