Patriot Water, ODNR face off over brine treatment

WARREN — Patriot Water Treatment, 2840 Sferra Ave., has sent legal notice to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources warning it of unwarranted interference in its business operations.

The company learned Friday that the agency would not allow the facility to accept drilling waste from D&L Energy headquarters at 2761 Salt Springs Road, Youngstown, the site of last month’s illegal dumping of oil and brine water down a storm drain.

In the wake of an ongoing criminal investigation, the permits of D&L Energy and Hardrock Excavating were revoked, with the stipulation that drilling waste could no longer be stored at the companies headquarters.

Patriot’s president, Andrew Blocksom, had earlier told The Vindicator that his wastewater treatment facility had tested the drilling fluids and was set to begin accepting, treating and disposing of it in the Mahoning River.

It appears now that ODNR, whose offices were closed on Monday for Presidents Day, has stymied those efforts by ordering D&L officials to instead dispose of the drilling waste in Class II injection wells only.

For the complete story, read Tuesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com