Amherst, Nova Scotia – The controversial issue of fracking wastewater disposal has once again raised its head in Nova Scotia. Recently, there has been discussion about transporting wastewater from fracking operations in Kennetcook to a treatment plant in Amherst. The proposal has been met with mixed reactions from the local community.
Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a method of extracting natural gas or oil by injecting a high-pressure mixture of water, sand, and chemicals into the ground. This process creates fractures in the rock, allowing the gas or oil to escape. However, the process also generates a large amount of wastewater, which contains chemicals and heavy metals.
The Kennetcook area has been the site of fracking operations for several years, and the issue of how to dispose of the wastewater has been a contentious one. Currently, the wastewater is being stored in large tanks, which has raised concerns about the potential for spills or leaks.
The Relocation Proposal
To address this issue, a proposal has been put forward to transport the wastewater to a treatment plant in Amherst, which is approximately 50 kilometers away. The treatment plant would be responsible for cleaning the wastewater before it is discharged into the environment.
Supporters of the proposal argue that transporting the wastewater to Amherst would be a safer option than storing it in Kennetcook. They also point out that the treatment plant in Amherst has a good track record of safely treating wastewater from other industries.
However, opponents of the proposal are concerned about the potential environmental impact of transporting and treating the wastewater. They worry that the chemicals and heavy metals in the wastewater could potentially contaminate local water sources or harm wildlife.
Some members of the local community have also expressed concerns about the potential for accidents or spills during transportation. They argue that the risk of a spill or leak could be even greater if the wastewater is transported on the province’s highways.
The proposal to transport fracking wastewater from Kennetcook to Amherst is still in the early stages of discussion, and no final decision has been made. However, the issue is likely to continue to be a source of debate and controversy in the coming months.