Water reclamation facility questioned in Fairfield

Talk about it

FAIRFIELD — More than 50 residents had questions regarding a water reclamation facility that could cost up to $14 million, and Clean Energy Fluids Systems LLC officials tried to answer them Thursday at the Fairfield Fire Hall.

The facility would be about two miles northwest of Fairfield and would separate chemicals and water from “fracking” back-flow water so it could be reused in the oil fields in western North Dakota, said Steven Alderin of Clean Energy.

Bill Palanuk represented his mother Agnes Palanuk, both of Fairfield, who owns the land that the facility would be built on.

The meeting was meant to answer questions and address concerns, Bill Palanuk said. They didn’t have to do this meeting, he added.

“Only a handful of the companies would hold such a meeting like this to show the community some consideration,” he said.

Residents brought up concerns about chemicals in loads, controlling traffic and location.

He said 100 to 300 trucks will go through the facility a day, which made the audience groan.

“When it comes to moving agricultural equipment of whatever type, it’s going to be a nightmare,” Fairfield resident Roger Klym said.

“Traffic is only going to get worse,” Alderin said. “Whether we are here or not, those roads are going to be used.”

Residents wanted to see pictures and maps of the facility.

“I’m here for the next 40 to 50 years,” Fairfield resident Jonathan Klym said. “I got to know that this is safe.”

Officials could not show any pictures because there was no Internet service.

Fairfield resident Laverne Kordonowy said she has had experience with facilities being located near hear land.

“At that time, there were hundreds of trucks going through there,” she said. “We lived through that, and we were the closest one, so I think that the rest of us can live with something like that again that will maybe benefit the world.”

“I too shall live under the shadows of this facility,” said Bill Palanuk. “A facility like this is needed. We are here to educate ourselves.”

Alderin wanted to emphasize that the company was not going to be a waste facility but a reclamation facility, adding the intent was not to make things worse.

“We have a lot of answers to a lot of problems,” he said. “We don’t have them all.”

Tags: water reclamation facility, clean energy fluids systems, news, fairfield, oil, fracking