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Discoblog
« New Vibrating Jacket Lets Moviegoers “Feel” the Action
NCBI ROFL: Accio medical degree! »

Fire Water Gets Literal: Colorado Couple’s Tap Water Erupts in Flames

faucet.jpgIf you live near enough natural gas, it seems, your water can become flammable. Or at least, that’s what has happened to a couple in Fort Lupton, Colorado whose home is less than half a mile from eight natural gas wells.

Jesse and Amee Ellsworth say that one of these wells (no one knows which) has been contaminating their well for six months now, and that they can light their water on fire. Testing done in the basement, bathroom, and near the well has shown explosive levels of the gas. But only recently, they say, did the companies decide to take any action—and only then at the urging of the state’s oil and gas commission.


But was there really a need to wait? The couple just wanted, and is now getting, a water treatment system in their home. It’s not like they’re trying to burn their water—or keep it flammable as a possible cure for cancer.

Related Content:
DISCOVER: Can Radio Waves Really Make Water Burn?
DISCOVER: The Amateur Scientists Who Might Cure Cancer—From Their Basements
Discoblog: Did a Guy Find a Cure for Cancer Using Pie Tins and Hot Dogs?

Image: CBS4Denver

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March 23rd, 2009 5:06 PM Tags: environment, natural gas, pollution
by Rachel Cernansky in Pollution Solutions (& Disasters) | 3 comments | RSS feed | Trackback >

  • http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/lighting/85068-using-1000-w-mh-over-30-a-2.html#post820319 using 1000 w MH over 30 gallon – Page 2

    [...] OP should go ahead and fill the tank with this water http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/di…pts-in-flames/ [...]

  • http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/discoblog/2009/05/20/no-really-its-true-water-starts-fire-in-bellevue-home/ No Really, It’s True: Water Starts Fire in Bellevue Home | Discoblog | Discover Magazine

    [...] Discoblog: Fire Water Gets Literal: Colorado Couple’s Tap Water Erupts in Flames Discoblog: Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires—But Maybe You [...]

  • http://www.greenhoof.com/2010/02/24/bill-barrett-corporation-deploys-lobbyists-to-protect-sweet-drilling-deal-in-the-rockies/ Greenhoof » Blog Archive » Bill Barrett Corporation deploys lobbyists to protect sweet drilling deal in the Rockies

    [...] drinking water remains, well, drinkable, preferably without fear of ingesting toxic chemicals or lighting themselves on fire when they turn on the [...]





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