Ohio confronts wastewater threats as fracking brine surfaces and data‑center permit is withdrawn

In Marietta, Ohio, toxic fracking wastewater that has been injected underground for decades is now surfacing, raising concerns for the drinking water of roughly 32,000 residents. The brine contains heavy metals, radioactive material, benzene and other hazardous chemicals. State officials confirmed the migration of the waste, while local leaders called for an immediate halt to injection activities near water sources.

Separately, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has abandoned a draft statewide permit that would have allowed data centers to discharge cooling‑water wastewater directly into rivers and lakes. After more than 7,000 public comments highlighting risks such as PFAS contamination and reduced water quality, the agency said it will revert to individual permits for each facility. The move reflects growing scrutiny of industrial water use and its potential health impacts in the state.