Butler County residents got a chance on Saturday to discuss their concerns about Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling after watching the documentary movie “Gasland.”

Diane Arnold, a member of the Marcellus Shale Community Outreach, which sponsored the program, said the purpose of showing the film was education.

“I am a concerned citizen,” Arnold said. “This is not a partisan issue. It concerns all people who are living in Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York and West Virginia.”

More than 50 people attended the screening at the YWCA.

In the film, the creator Josh Fox said natural gas drilling will be an important issue for years.

He said many problems come from hydraulic fracturing or fracking, which is used for extracting the gas. The process involves pumping millions of gallons of water, along with a mixture of 596 chemicals called frac fluid, into the well. This could cause ground water to become contaminated.

The film discussed some of the negative impacts of fracking, including flammable, contaminated water and physical illness.

Also the movie said that part of the problem is that oil and gas companies are exempt from the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

After the film, Veronica Coptis, a community organizer for the Mountain Watershed Association based in Fayette County, said her group’s main goal is to educate people on what Marcellus Shale natural gas is and how to deal with it.

She said the most important thing for people who own land situated over Marcellus Shale is to get their ground water tested for contaminants.

“If you have a private water well, it’s extremely important to get it tested before drilling,” Coptis said.

If someone does not test a well and contaminants are found after drilling, the gas company cannot be held responsible.

Although a thorough test can cost upward of $800, she said it is best to get a basic test that checks for total dissolved solids, barium strontium and methane, which costs $200 to $300.

Lou Hancherick of Jackson Township said there are four new wells being drilled in Pennsylvania per day.

He said although many companies say Marcellus Shale natural gas will help reduce the United States’ dependence on foreign oil, they are actually going to be used for two different purposes: oil for automobiles and gas for heating.

“This myth that this is helping us solve the energy crisis, it’s not really true,” Hancherick said.

Diane Sipe of Jackson Township said people should inform themselves about the issue.

“There’s a wealth of information out there if you just seek it out,” Sipe said.

She also said citizens should sponsor screenings of the movie, write their legislators and join activist groups.

Arnold urged the audience to take action.

“It’s here, whether we are ready for it or not,” Arnold said of drilling for this natural gas.

A follow-up meeting is planned for 3 to 5 p.m. on Feb. 26 on the second floor of Natili’s South restaurant.