Based on the number and ubiquity of “Protect Our Drinking Water/No More Injection Wells in Washington County” yard signs and the turnout at numerous public meetings on the topic, voters in Washington County should know the stance of Board of Commissioners candidates on that critically important issue.

None of the three sitting commissioners is willing to support a petition calling for a three-year moratorium on injection wells in the county as Marietta City Council members unanimously, and nine local water boards and municipal governments have done. Support for a moratorium indicates determination to protect our drinking water sources from risk of contamination from toxic, radioactive brine injected at high volume and high pressure into the geologic strata below our aquifers.

On the Democratic ballot, Brian Waylin, MD, who has signed the moratorium petition, is seeking to unseat Commissioner Eddie Place ( R) on the Washington County Board of Commissioners. Place has not signed the moratorium petition.

On the Republican ballot, appointed Commissioner Place is seeking election. Running against him is Stephanie Lang, who has signed the petition and supports a moratorium on injection wells.

Washington County for Safe Drinking water is a nonpartisan organization, and while we do not explicitly endorse candidates, we wish to make it clear which Board of Commissioners candidates in the May 5 primary elections are determined to protect our water sources from injection well contamination: Brian Waylin (D), and Stephanie Lang ( R).