Flash player is required to view weather conditions. Download

It's not well known that AK Steel disposes of gallons of hazardous waste from Middletown Works in two wells located more than a half mile underground.

But the practice is safe, according to company officials and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.

A public hearing has been scheduled to discuss details in the renewal of two permits for AK Steel Corp. to dispose of spent pickle liquor — a class I hazardous material — into two natural underground wells.

The hearing is set to begin at 7 p.m. Jan. 11 at City Council chambers, One Donham Plaza.

Located near the eastern border of Middletown Works along Breiel Boulevard and Lefferson Road, the wells are separated from drinking water sources by more than 1,900 feet of rock and the Eau Claire sandstone formation.

The wells house liquid used during the final process of steel making and includes mostly water, a small percentage of hydrochloric acid and other nonvolatile chemicals.

"Studies show these wells do not leak," said Ohio EPA spokeswoman Heather Lauer in response to a question about the integrity of the deep wells.

"But that's why we have these public hearings," she added. "If people have something they think we should consider, it's important that we hear from them."

AK Steel has used the injection wells since 1969, and are prompted to renew their permit every five years. They have never been denied access to use the wells, Ohio EPA officials said.

The permit is different this round, though, because it includes new regulations by which the company must abide.

Among the changes:

• Two specific and different tests must be conducted each year to ensure the wells do not leak, while maintaining a certain amount of pressure;

• A yearly analysis to ensure the Eau Claire formation is intact;

• A new date the company must submit operating reports to the Ohio EPA;

• Setting a new maximum pressure limit of the contents of the well to protect the rock formation below, and;

• A requirement of AK Steel to conduct a shut down/restart test to ensure well control equipment is programmed correctly.

Copies of the permit application are available at the Middletown Library, 125 S. Broad St.

The Ohio EPA will continue to accept written comments through the close of business on Jan. 19. Comments may be submitted to Jess Stottsberry, P.O. Box 1049, Columbus, OH 43216-1049.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2840 or dgreber@coxohio.com.