Concerns are growing over a proposed wastewater injection well in James City, Elk County. 

Seneca Resources, the oil and gas company looking to use the well for disposal purposes told 6 News that the well has already been drilled. 

Rob Boulware, manager of stakeholder relations for Seneca Resources said that the gas well was originally drilled in 2007. 

Boulware said that they are now seeking to use that well to dispose of wastewater. 

The well would be considered a Class II-D injection well. 

Elk County commissioner, Dan Freeburg told 6 News he and his fellow commissioners are deeply concerned over the matter. 

"We were told in the past by professionals that injection wells would not be an option for Elk County," Freeburg said. 

Even though there is a lot of controversy surrounding injection wells, Boulware said it's nothing new. 

"Injection wells in general, while they're not prevalent in Pennsylvania, there is more than 140,000 injection wells that can be found across the United States. They have been successfully used as of means of disposing the water," Boulware said. 

"Who is going to be maintaing the wells 100 years from now? How do we detect where the waste material will go to and in the underground rock strata?" Mike Kamandulis of Elk County C.A.R.E.S asked. 

"Seneca Resources will be testing all water sources within a designated area around the injection well to help residents establish a baseline before the start of this project," Boulware said. 

In James City there are 128 homes. Even though the area is not considered a highly populated area, Freeburg said he still worries about the safety of the environment, and the drinking water for a few hundred residents. 

"We are industry friendly, we have to be energy independent, and this is very important. We cannot afford to make one mistake with our water," Freeburg said. 

Boulware told 6 News that if a permit is approved the disposal well would only be used by Seneca Resources. 

The Environmental Protection Agency will be in Elk County on Dec. 11 for a public hearing. 

All are encouraged to attend. 

The meeting will be held at the Highland Township Fire Hall at 7 p.m. in James City.