The Pressing Need for Sustainable Water Management
The devastating drought that has gripped Ohio this summer has once again highlighted the urgent need for comprehensive water management strategies that account for the growing demands placed on our finite water resources. As the oil and gas industry continues to rely heavily on water-intensive hydraulic fracturing (or “fracking”) operations, environmentalists and community leaders are rightfully concerned about the long-term implications for water security and ecosystem health.
Fracking’s Thirst for Water
Hydraulic fracturing is a process that pumps millions of gallons of water, mixed with sand and chemicals, deep underground to crack open oil and gas-bearing rock formations. This technique, while enabling the extraction of previously inaccessible fossil fuel reserves, comes at a significant cost to our water supplies.
Each horizontally drilled well can require up to several million gallons of water. With well pads often housing six or more wells, the cumulative water demands of the fracking industry can be staggering. While some of this water can be recycled, much of it is ultimately disposed of in underground injection wells, permanently removing it from the water cycle.
Atwood Lake Restrictions
The recent drought in Ohio has brought these concerns to a head, as the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) was forced to take the unprecedented step of curtailing water withdrawals for fracking from Atwood Lake. This popular recreational destination saw its water levels drop by a foot and a half over the summer months, prompting the MWCD to first cut withdrawals by 75% and then halt them entirely.
As Leatra Harper, director of the FreshWater Accountability Project, aptly stated, “The obvious issue is there aren’t adequate protections” for Ohio’s waterways. The MWCD’s actions highlight the delicate balance between supporting economic development and safeguarding the public’s access to clean, abundant water resources.
Navigating the Complexities of Water Management
Regulatory Gaps and Loopholes
The situation at Atwood Lake reflects a broader shortcoming in Ohio’s regulatory landscape. Under state law, oil and gas companies are generally allowed to withdraw up to 2 million gallons of water per day from state waters, a staggering amount that could fill nearly 91 Olympic-sized swimming pools. However, as the MWCD’s Craig Butler pointed out, these withdrawals are “relatively small compared to the billions of gallons in the district’s lakes.”
This perception of insignificance highlights a critical flaw in how water use is assessed and regulated. As Melinda Zemper of Save Ohio Parks noted, “It is clear our state legislators ignore the depletion and contamination of our precious fresh drinking water used in the fracking process.” The law fails to account for the cumulative impacts of multiple well pads, the vulnerability of water supplies during drought conditions, and the potential for contamination from the chemicals used in fracking.
Balancing Priorities and Tradeoffs
The MWCD’s management of Atwood Lake demonstrates the difficult tradeoffs involved in water allocation. While the district’s primary mission is flood control, recreation, and conservation, it also counts the oil and gas industry as one of its biggest customers. The revenue generated from water sales has helped fund efforts to improve water quality and minimize flooding, enhancing the region’s resilience to climate change.
However, as critics such as Ted Auch of FracTracker point out, the pricing of water at around $3 per 1,000 gallons may be too low, failing to fully capture the true value and scarcity of this vital resource. Furthermore, the threat of oil and gas companies seeking alternative water sources, potentially without the MWCD’s oversight, raises concerns about the district’s ability to effectively manage the watershed.
Toward a Sustainable Future
Comprehensive Water Planning
As Ohio braces for the impacts of climate change, including warmer temperatures, more intense storms, and prolonged droughts, the need for forward-looking, comprehensive water planning has never been more crucial. Experts like Julie Weatherington-Rice of Bennett and Williams Environmental Consultants emphasize the importance of considering a longer time horizon, accounting for potential water deficits and the implications of changing precipitation patterns.
“We need to start looking at water resources out 10, 15, 30 years,” said Ted Auch, underscoring the need to anticipate future challenges and ensure the sustainability of Ohio’s water supplies. This should include evaluating the cumulative impact of water withdrawals, promoting water conservation and efficiency measures, and exploring alternative sources of water for the oil and gas industry.
Improving Transparency and Accountability
A recurring theme in the debate surrounding fracking and water use is the lack of comprehensive, reliable data. While the Ohio Department of Natural Resources provides some figures on water withdrawals, the voluntary reporting system used by the industry, such as FracFocus, leaves significant gaps in our understanding of the true scale and impacts of these practices.
Addressing these data deficiencies and enhancing transparency will be crucial for informed decision-making and effective policy development. Critics argue that pre-withdrawal reviews should be more conservative and forward-looking, focusing on potential water-deficit scenarios rather than current conditions.
Fostering Community Engagement and Resilience
As Ohio communities grapple with the effects of climate change and the competing demands on their water resources, it is vital to empower local stakeholders and promote inclusive decision-making processes. By engaging residents, environmental advocates, and industry representatives, policymakers can develop water management strategies that balance economic, environmental, and social priorities.
The Joint Action for Water blog, which advocates for sustainable, community-driven approaches to water and sanitation challenges, provides a valuable platform for sharing best practices, facilitating dialogue, and amplifying the voices of those on the frontlines of these issues. By highlighting successful case studies and practical strategies, the blog can inspire and guide communities across Ohio as they work to build resilience and secure their water futures.
In the face of mounting pressures on our water resources, it is clear that a business-as-usual approach is no longer tenable. Ohio must embrace a new era of proactive, collaborative water management that prioritizes long-term sustainability, environmental protection, and the well-being of its citizens. By taking bold action now, we can safeguard our precious water resources and ensure a more resilient, equitable, and prosperous future for all.
Conclusion
The drought that has gripped Ohio this summer has once again brought the issue of water use for fracking into sharp focus. As the oil and gas industry continues to consume vast quantities of water, community leaders and environmentalists are rightfully concerned about the long-term implications for water security and ecosystem health.
The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District’s decision to curtail water withdrawals from Atwood Lake highlights the delicate balance between supporting economic development and safeguarding public water resources. This situation reflects broader regulatory gaps and the need for more comprehensive, forward-looking water management strategies in Ohio.
As the state grapples with the impacts of climate change, including more intense storms and prolonged droughts, the importance of sustainable water planning and community engagement has never been more urgent. By addressing data deficiencies, promoting transparency, and empowering local stakeholders, Ohio can chart a path toward a more resilient and equitable water future.
The Joint Action for Water blog provides a valuable platform for sharing best practices, facilitating dialogue, and amplifying the voices of those on the frontlines of these critical issues. By embracing a collaborative, community-driven approach to water management, Ohio can ensure that its precious water resources are protected and sustainably managed for generations to come.
