A Personal Account from the Saunter Family
By Brendan O. & Liam M.
In March of 2008 Craig and Julie Sautner moved to the town of Montrose, Pa. not knowing what was in store for them. Shortly after settling in, the Sautners were approached by Cabot Oil & Gas with an offer to lease their land for natural gas drilling.
Cabot gas trucks were a regular sight for them, and they knew Cabot was already drilling in the area, so they thought nothing of accepting the offer.
This has become the Sautner’s most regretted decision, as they have been fighting for their quality of life since the drilling began on their property, less than 1000 ft. from their house.
On September 11, 2008, brown, muddy water first flowed from their taps. They contacted Cabot who offered to purge or flush out their well to see if that would clean it out. The Sautners declined for fear of damage to their 18-year-old pump. “I said ‘No, don’t do it,’ but by the time I got home it was already done. I got home and there was no water in the well,” said Mr. Sautner.
Naturally, the Sautners had to have water, and so Cabot wheeled a big, unsightly water tank into their backyard to supply them with just enough water to live on while they ran tests and subsequently set up a water treatment system in their basement. Cabot refused to pay for the treatment system that the Sautners chose; rather Cabot bought a cheaper one that left their basement looking like “Dr. Frankenstein’s laboratory.”
The DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) soon got involved. They tested the water at the Sautners’ wellhead. “Of course…they found gas,” said Mr. Sautner. Cabot assured them that as time went on, their water would return to its original quality. When the DEP’s tests showed no improvement in their water quality, Cabot’s solution was to add yet another contraption to their machinery laden basement.
The overflow of methane-laced water in their backyard not only ruined their lawn but made it into a breeding ground for mosquitoes. The water was not even fit to clean household items, as it ruined everything from dishes to clothes. Cabot assured them that they would be reimbursed for all of their damaged possessions, but they were not.
The contaminated water also gave Mrs. Sautner rashes and hives, and gave their daughter exema. Throughout this whole ordeal the Sautners refused to drink the water, fearing the possible effects on their health. After complaining to Cabot officials about problem, one high-ranking executive ordered Mrs. Sautner to drink the water. “He told my wife, ‘You will drink that water’,” said Mr. Sautner.
On November 20, 2009, the Sautners filed a lawsuit against Cabot Oil & Gas for destroying their well, which started their troubles in the first place. Cabot was served a letter, which informed them of the Sautner’s intentions, on December 16. The standard is 30 days for them to respond. However, with the holiday season Cabot asked for an extension and has been given until February 8. “I imagine they are just going to say, ‘Sue us’,” said Mr. Sautner.
Fourteen other families, along with the help of the DEP, have come together with the Sautners to form a joint lawsuit against Cabot Oil & Gas. Each family seeks compensation for the damage done to their lives and their well-being by Cabot. Most of the other families have been seriously affected by the recent spills of fracing fluid in Dimock, Pa. by Cabot. The Sautners along with the other families whole-heartedly believe that they have a shot at winning.
The testimonies of all fifteen families together make an uncommonly strong case. Each is seeking to be able to return to their former quality of life. Cabot will surely be prepared to fight, and has the resources to be a very formidable opponent.
