Flammable Water Found In Ft. Lupton Home
Quote:
A Fort Lupton, Colorado couple says they have so much natural gas in their water they can light it on fire.
On Friday Jesse and Amee Ellsworth met with energy companies to try and solve the problem.
The Ellsworths say the gas has been leaking into their water well from a nearby gas well for the last six months. They say the gas companies are working on a well water treatment system, possibly for the entire community, but that any solution will take time.
Aimee Ellsworth says their only clue that something was wrong was the pressure of the water.
"It crashed, made noises. I thought this isn't normal."
She says tests found explosive levels of the gas in her basement, bathroom and by her water well.
"I'm jittery all the time" says Ellsworth.
Her home is located in a rural area within a half mile of eight natural gas wells.
The Colorado Oil and Gas Commission leaders say it's tried to find the origin of the leak. Director Dale Neslin says "We've looked at well compilation reports, taken gas samples to look for a match, done pressure testing and we've not been able to find the well that appears to be causing the problem."
The Ellsworths say they approached Noble Energy and Anadarko Petroleum - the two companies that operate the nearby wells - and begged for help. They say the companies initially refused to do anything. But, at the urging of the Oil and Gas Commission, they have now agreed to put in a water treatment system at the home.
|
Since the gas comes right out of the ground, instead of through a gas pipe, it doesn't have the scent added, and it's odorless!