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Osage County

Posted: Jul 27, 2017 11:16 AMUpdated: Jul 28, 2017 11:27 AM

EPA Shuts Down Injection Wells Near Bird Creek

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Bill Lynch

After nearly a year, the injection wells which have been causing the contamination of the Bird Creek tributary, located North West of Pawhuska, have been shut down. Bird Creek has been contaminated by high temperatures and toxic salinity levels as a result of leaking injection wells, and Thursday the EPA announced they have identified and shut down the injection wells tired to the contamination.

 

The salinity level in the tributary has been so high, reaching 80,000 parts per million, it is twice the salinity of sea water. Aquatic life including fish and turtles have been found dead along the bank since the issue was reported in August of 2016. The Environmental Protection Agency along with the Bureau of Indian Affairs were contacted in 2016 but the investigation did not gain much traction until the new administration took over.

 

EPA Administrator and former Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt turned his attention to the issue as soon as he was appointed in February of this year and has made a commitment to the residence of Osage County that the issue will be resolved. Pruitt sat down with KWON/KYFM/KRIG/KPGM this week and discussed the Bird Creek salinity contamination.

 

Temperatures in the tributary have reached in excess of 100 degree as a result of the contamination, and the City of Pawhuska rerouted it's water supply in order to avoid pollution through ground water. The closing of the injection wells fulfills a promise to resolved the issue by Pruitt

 

The investigation conducted by the EPA shows evidence that the contamination of Bird Creek has been a long standing issue, with evidence going back to 1937. However, they have identified seven injection wells directly connected to the contamination and they have been shut down. EPA Region Six Administrator Sam Coleman told the Tulsa World Friday the sites will most likely be permanently capped.

 


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