Thirst for fracking draws water from local streams

In February, residents of southern Stark County were surprised to find giant pumps sitting next to Indian Run, a small stream that flows into Sandy Creek.

A contractor was taking water from Indian Run for Chesapeake Energy and a nearby well in Osnaburg Township. There was a water intake device in a small pool in the stream. There were two pumps and lots of hoses.

More recently, similar hoses were found in the Licking River near the Knox-Licking county line where Devon Energy, another driller, was taking 3 million gallons of water for its well fracking.

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Water sale for fracking

Amid some concerns from residents, the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District is moving forward with a study to determine if three of the district's reservoirs can withstand the sale of water for use in fracking wells.

In the hydraulic fracturing process, commonly called fracking, water is injected into the ground along with a combination of sand and chemicals to shatter the rock formation and release natural gas.

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