The scientific jury is still out on whether increased earthquake activity is linked to the disposal of wastewater from oil and gas production in south-central Kansas, but many residents of Harper and Sumner counties have made up their minds.

What they know is that since last month, when the Kansas Corporation Commission set new limits on the amount of wastewater the drillers could inject into the ground beneath their counties, there have been fewer earthquakes. They still occur, but not as often. It could be just a natural ebb and flow of activity in a fault zone or it could be an early indication of what residents in those counties and other areas suspected: wastewater disposal triggered by an increase in oil and gas drilling in their area was causing small earthquakes that were damaging their property and disrupting their lives.

Between 1977 and 2012, Harper and Sumner counties had two earthquakes that registered a least 2.0 on the Richter scale. Between January 2013 and March, the area recorded 159 quakes in that category. It’s hard to believe that the earthquakes had nothing to do with the corresponding increase in oil and gas drilling and wastewater disposal during that same time period.

The earthquakes sometimes occurred several times a day. Most were small, but some caused damage. According to a Kansas City news report, the bill for fixing the courthouse steps in Anthony tripled to more than $1 million in part due to earthquake damage.

The KCC’s action is getting attention from residents in other states. Activists across the border in Oklahoma reportedly are seeking similar limits on wastewater disposal. As noted at the outset, it’s too early for scientists to make any definitive statements on the cause of the earthquakes but they continue to study the situation including the possibility that the small earthquakes that are occurring could eventually lead to larger quakes.

The eight drilling companies affected by the KCC order still can request a hearing on the restrictions and the companies argue that the debate is far from over. Nonetheless it’s good the KCC decided to get involved and try to provide some relief to the residents of Harper and Sumner counties.