Warren could soon have a lot more business as the first community in Ohio to clean wastewater generated from drilling of Marcellus shale deposits.
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has issued a proposed permit modification to the city of Warren, which would allow it to accept up to 100,000 gallons per day of gas well wastewater at the city's Warren Pollution Control Center. The permit is proposed to take effect Dec. 1, unless it is disapproved by the U.S. EPA, is withdrawn or an adjudication hearing is requested.
If the permit is given final approval, the water would first be pretreated in a metals removal process and then sent to the city's plant and mixed with other wastewater entering the facility for treatment and discharge to the Mahoning River.
Warren Mayor Michael O'Brien said processing of the gas well wastewater would generate money for the water pollution control department. He said it could also create private sector jobs, but he did not want to release any details until final approval of the permit.
Prior to the Ohio EPA considering the permit request, WPCC conducted a two-month pilot study before determining there would be no negative impacts to the city's operation with the treatment of the water.
Warren would be the first city to process wastewater generated from the fracturing of Marcellus shale deposits.
