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Brine Found Seeping From Old Well Near Southfield Church

SOUTHFIELD (AP) - State workers conducting a site evaluation for an exploratory oil and gas well permit on the grounds of a Southfield church have found brine seeping nearby from an old well.

The state Department of Environmental Quality says Tuesday the brine essentially is salt water and that the seepage will be investigated with plans to stop it from coming to the surface.

The old oil and gas well was drilled in 1939 and later plugged. It is about a mile from the proposed well at the Word of Faith International Christian Center.

Officials say the brine is not related to the application for a permit to drill at Word of Faith and would have no bearing on the permit decision for the church.

The city of Southfield opposes the planned well.

© Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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