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AUBURN, N.Y. -- Some are calling a report about gas drilling wastewater a step in the right direction for the city of Auburn. The report concludes the city's treatment plant is unable to accept gas drilling wastewater.

Auburn City Councilor Terry Cuddy answers questions during a press conference on Thursday
concerning gas drilling wastewater with Walter Hang, left, president of Ithaca firm Toxics Targeting.

AUBURN | A report from an engineering firm has concluded that the city of Auburn's sewage treatment plant cannot accept wastewater produced by natural gas drilling.

AUBURN, N.Y. -- An engineering firm hired by Auburn to clear the way for the city to accept wastewater from gas drilling has concluded the city's wastewater treatment plant can't handle it.

The firm's study could have broad implications in New York's debate about hydrofracking.

The report, by the engineering firm GHD, Inc., in Cazenovia, said that because of the high levels of chlorides (a constituent of salt) in gas drilling wastewater, the Auburn wastewater treatment plant "has no additional capacity to accept vertical natural gas well wastewater."

Anti-Fracking Protesters in Albany

They’ve become a fixture at the governor’s public appearances: Dozens, hundreds, sometimes more than a thousand activists bearing signs that read “No Fracking Way” and “Don’t Frack With Our Future.” Some have beards and bang on drums, some wear business attire. Sometimes they’re joined by Mark Ruffalo, who played the Incredible Hulk in the Avengers movie. And sometimes Pete Seeger turns up to sing “This Land is Your Land.”