Portage eyes bulk water sales for fracking

Portage County plans to add a bulk water sales station at its Infirmary Road plant in Shalersville, with the new deep gas well industry as its targeted customer.

Jeff Lonzrick, head of the county’s Water Resources Department, told commissioners Thursday he has been approached by a water hauler contracted to provide water to Chesapeake Energy for its deep wells in the county. The drilling company needs up to a million gallons of potable water per well to perform the fracturing process.

Commissioner Tommie Jo Marsilio supported the plan, saying she believes the county should tap into the burgeoning gas well drilling industry in Ohio. Commissioner Chris Smeiles said he has long favored bulk water sales, but wants to make sure it is done economically.

Lonzrick said water is sold at the residential rate, which goes from $66.63 for the first 1,500 cubic feet (11,220 gallons) to $40.91 per 1,000 CF up to 5,000 CF and then $38.92 for every additional 1,000 CF.

“A million gallons is 133,690 CF and would cost about $5,200,” Lonzrick said. 

He said having the station would make it easier to increase other bulk sales.

“Currently we run hydrant meters, but we only have five of them, mostly for pool haulers,” Lonzrick said.

“By putting a system out here, we’ll have a location they can come out and get water at anytime,” he said.

The station will tap into a 12-inch line on Infirmary road.

“Pulling more water will actually improve the water quality out here,” by increasing the circulation, Lonzrick said.