Washington County Commissioner James Booth discusses his concerns about the injection well and its proximity to nearby aquifers after the scheduled agenda on Thursday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Washington County Commissioner James Booth expressed his concerns during Thursday’s regular commission meeting about the injection wells located closest to Williamstown and Marietta.

Injection wells have been a recent topic of discussion amongst the community with potential litigation against the Ohio Department of Natural Resources from the Marietta City Council last Thursday.

“I found out some things that disturbed me and I think the public needs to know,” said Booth. “The system ODNR uses to monitor injection wells is totally different from what the Ohio EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) uses.”

DeepRock Disposal Solutions has recently requested a permit for a Class II injection well which would be drilled within two miles of Marietta’s drinking water.

Marietta City Council was looking into litigation that would require ODNR to apply newer rules to injection well permits.

“My question to the state of Ohio is, why are there two systems? If the Ohio EPA system is so much better the way it was described to me…why would ODNR not be doing this?” he said. Booth said he met with the Ohio EPA prior to Thursday’s commission meeting and was informed that the Ohio EPA responds quickly and accurately.

“I’m not against injecting brine into the ground if that’s the safe way to do it,” said Booth. “I think we need to hold off on putting more injection wells in this area until we find out if these pressures have possibly and have communicated with an aquifer.”

Agenda business included discussion on CEBCO (County Employee Benefits Consortium of Ohio) with former commissioner and co-owner of Dietz, Futrell & Walters Insurance Inc. Rick Walters in attendance to provide updates.

CEBCO provides county employee health coverage plan options and assists counties with feasibility studies and surveys in regards to their insurance rates. Washington County joined CEBCO in 2009.

“We’ve had an opportunity to review the renewal and CEBCO has provided some additional options in reviewing the medical options they’ve provided,” said Walters. “They’d be looking at changing deductibles going from a $1,500 to a $2,000 deductible or from $1,500 to a $3,000 deductible.”

Raising the deductible would result in a savings of about $96,000 if rates were raised $500. There would be about $196,000 in savings if the deductible were to increase up to $3,000.

He said they will be reviewing reports and comparing if last year’s insurers made their deductible.

“I think it’s a vital force to look and see how many of the insurers actually use their deductibles. If you’re simply going to the doctor, going to a specialist to get your prescriptions, the deductible is irrelevant,” said Walters. “It’s just a matter of how many people actually incur expenses on the deductible.”

Walters also discussed potential changes to prescription pricing by purchasing pharmaceuticals through the hospital system.

A decision to renew the CEBCO health insurance plan must be made by Sept. 30, said Walters. This the second extension after the first extension which was set for Sept. 18.

“It’s about evaluating cost reduction, and I know you’ll keep us informed on what we need to do through CEBCO,” said Commissioner Charlie Schilling.

County Engineer Roger Wright provided updates on the Devola project with only two tank installations remaining. He said the tanks they were going to install had cracks so they’re currently waiting for new ones to ship in from the west.

“We’re still hopeful that we get it done by the end of this month depending on how long it takes to get from Oregon to here,” said Wright.