Austin Master Services makes every attempt to share news and information with our community, so they can stay informed. Please see all that has been issued to the town of Martins Ferry and members of the news media.
Austin Master Services Releases Groundwater Well Monitoring Test Results
Martins Ferry, OH (January 3, 2022) – The results from groundwater monitoring test results from the Martins Ferry, OH facility show no concern for the local water aquifer and highlight the impact made by historical industrial manufacturing processes previously conducted within the facility’s location.
According to the report, “sampling results to date indicate that the water quality in the vicinity of the facility has been significantly impacted by historical steel mill operations in the area,” and “the groundwater chemistry at these wells is more typical of what would be expected in the Ohio River floodplain. There is no evidence that the (Austin Master Services) facility operations have caused deterioration of the groundwater.”
The goal of the sampling program is to determine specific levels of oilfield fluids related to Austin Master Services operations. Oilfield fluids typically include items such as produced water and impaired water from hydraulic stimulation and contain specific ratios of bromide. According to the report, “the absence of bromide in the initial samples that were collected suggests a likely road salt origin for the chlorides at these wells,” previously reported. Bromide was analyzed in the initial sampling in 2015. No bromide was detected in samples from the most recent sample run.
Another byproduct of oilfield fluids is the presence of Radium 226 and Radium 228. According to the report, “Radium 226 and 228, which are commonly associated with fluids generated from oil and gas operations, have consistently been within normal concentration ranges for groundwater.”
To address any unofficial sampling results, the report states, “Since the Radium 226 and Radium 228 activity is within normal ranges, it is assumed that the elevated gross alpha, similar to the heavy metals discussed above (within the report), is an artificial artifact introduced as a result of poor sampling procedures that resulted in sediment in the samples.”
“The test results support the fact that Austin Master Services operates in a safe manner,” said Chris Martin, spokesperson for Austin Master Services. “We now have evidence that past operations on this site may be the driving factor to false claims against our company. Austin Master Services will continue to operate and serve the oil and gas industry throughout Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.”
A copy of the water well monitoring test is available in our Resource Area.
Austin Master Services will continue to conduct groundwater monitoring sampling and release the results when available.
Austin Master Services Releases Latest ODNR Report
State agency submitted report based on site visit to the Martins Ferry facility
Martins Ferry, OH (September 21, 2022) – Austin Master Services, an environmental services firm specializing in radiological waste remediation, has released the latest Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) report to austinmasterservices.com. This report details the state of the Martins Ferry, OH facility when visited by agency representatives on August 24, 2022.
“This report details the state of the facility based on the perspective of ODNR representatives at the time of their recent quarterly site visit. Within the report you can read of the multiple improvements that are underway along with recommended action from the ODNR site visitors,” said Chris Martin, spokesperson for Austin Master Services.
ODNR representatives, within the report, highlight the investment and efforts Austin Master Services has employed at the facility including the construction of a floodwall; the temporary sand berm that was installed due to a storage bin wall collapse, which since the report date has been repaired; and storage bin and filter press capacity levels. Photographs were also included in the report which features multiple areas within the facility.
To gain access to the ODNR reports, please visit our website. The webpage includes all documents submitted by ODNR to Austin Master Services since 2015.
Austin Master Services receives confirmation of safe operating procedures
Ohio EPA Dismisses Complaint Against Austin Master Services
Martins Ferry, OH (August 18, 2022) – Austin Master Services, an environmental services firm specializing in radioactive waste remediation, has released the recent Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) dismissal report regarding a previously filed complaint filed by the Concerned Ohio River Residents (CORR).
“This dismissal from a governing body reinforces the ongoing efforts that continue to ensure that the Martins Ferry facility is and remains safely operated within state regulations,” said Chris Martin, spokesperson for Austin Master Services.
According to the OEPA dismissal, “the Division of Air Pollution Control (DAPC), and Emergency Planning programs have been resolved with no further action required. It appears unlikely that any future violations of the cited rules will occur as Austin Master Services now has been issued an Air permit and submitted required reports. No violations of the Division of Surface Water (DSW) or Division of Materials and Waste Management (DMWM) programs were identified during the investigation. Therefore, the verified complaint is hereby dismissed.”
As part of this process, Austin Master Services received multiple permits to continue operations. The permits included the Permit-to-Install and Operate (PTIO) material handling operations and an Ohio State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) report to record the annual chemical inventory on site. No other oil and gas waste facility similar to Austin Master Services has an OEPA air permit.
A copy of the dismissal documentation is available on the Austin Master Services website.
Austin Master Services Releases All ODNR Reports
State agency reports highlight ongoing state of operational improvements
Martins Ferry, OH (July 12, 2022) – Austin Master Services, an environmental services firm specializing in radiological waste remediation, has uploaded each of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) reports to austinmasterservices.com. Each report showcases the state of operations on the specific day of a site visit by ODNR personnel. The latest report is from May 19, 2022.
According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Oil and Gas Resources Management website, Division personnel conduct routine inspections to ensure the operation and maintenance of the oil and gas waste facility along with the reclamation of the oil and gas waste is protective of the public and the environment. More information is available on the ODNR website.
“We are uploading these reports to our website to aid the Martins Ferry community in understanding the reporting process. Since the reporting process is ongoing, it is essential for those who review the reports to do so in their entirety. When these reports are reviewed in succession, a reviewer will see the enhancements made based on recommendations as well as the ongoing efforts related to operational and facility improvements,” said Chris Martin, spokesperson for Austin Master Services.
Key takeaways from the reports include the operations that occurred during the time of the review, the continual operational improvements planned and/or made, as well as the recommendations that ODNR representatives made to the Austin Master Services leadership.
The ODNR reports found on this website include all documents submitted by ODNR to Austin Master Services since 2015.
Austin Master Services Responds to Martins Ferry, Ohio Source Water Protection Complaint
Waste remediation company addresses the environmental group
Martins Ferry, OH (June 24, 2022) – Austin Master Services, an environmental services firm specializing in radiological waste remediation, has submitted its response to the Martins Ferry (OH) City Council related to the verified complaint submitted by the Concerned Ohio River Residents (CORR) group.
“The team at Austin Master Services has been very receptive and cooperative in developing this response,” said John Davies, mayor of Martins Ferry. “Their willingness to meet and discuss this matter has been very helpful as we continue our efforts to ensure the highest levels of quality among our water system.”
The Austin Master Services response includes clarification of the facility location regarding the Martins Ferry Source Water Protection Plan, the group’s designation of the facility and the processes that occur on-site, secondary containment systems within the facility, perceived waste ponds, underground sources of contamination, and fire control.
“Austin Master Services operates according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Chief’s Order and works with governmental agencies who have jurisdiction over their process and facility. The CORR group has no jurisdiction or oversight and continues to attempt to create issues when all authorized inquiries have resulted in a lack of findings,” said Chris Martin, spokesperson for Austin Master Services.
The response addresses the group’s concerns and is available for review on the Austin Master Services and Martins Ferry websites. Click here to read the complete response.