Salem seeks revenue from selling its water to drilling companies

By AMANDA C. DAVIS

news@vindy.com

SALEM

The city is trying to take advantage of its ample water supply by negotiating its sale for oil- and gas-well drilling.

A proposal has been presented to the city by LBG Land Services that wants to resell city water to drilling companies. LBG’s proposed two-year contract seeks 200,000 to 300,000 gallons of water per day at a cost of $10 per 1,000 gallons.

Mayor Jerry Wolford said profits would be split between the city’s general fund to cover its expenses and the rest would go to the city’s Utilities Commission water fund.

He also said there may be other companies that wish to buy water from the city as drilling gets under way. He said he’s also been told it takes 4 million to 5 million gallons of water to drill a well.

“We’re very fortunate to have a good water supply,” he said, adding that the surplus provides an extra revenue stream for Salem.

According to its website, LBG Land Services, which has a Youngstown office, helps the oil and gas industry obtain water for drilling, fracking and exploration projects in the Marcellus and Utica shale region.

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.