FARMINGTON -- It was this time last year that conditions in Dunkard Creek began changing to allow the Golden Algae bloom that killed most of its aquatic life.

Regulators and scientists are looking for permanent solutions to prevent more algae blooms and fish kills.

There are fish living in Dunkard Creek again, but streams like Buffalo Creek in Marion County are still in danger from poor water quality and the conditions that lead to the fish kill in Dunkard Creek, and some changes could keep fish swimming in West Virginia's streams.

“We were pleasantly surprised to find 25-28 species of fish, mostly minnows and darters, but these are the basis of the food chain,” said Frank Jernejcic with the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources.

Dunkard Creek this month is very different from a year ago, when acid mine discharge from CONSOL Energy’s Blacksville No. 2 mine changed the creek's chemical levels.

“It increased, essentially, the salinity of the water,” Jernejcic said, “Which we later found out was conducive to the growth of golden algae.”

Those algae killed thousands of fish.

CONSOL Energy is now carefully monitoring their discharges, and the chemical levels in Dunkard Creek, but the practices of mining natural gas from the Marcellus Shale can cause the same effects as clean water is drawn out of streams, and chemically treated water returned.

Both stages are expensive for drilling operations, and take a toll on the streams.

“So the water is expensive, however it is obtained,” Jernejcic said, “and if it can be reused, then that makes in economical for the company, and reduces any environmental impacts.”

A project at West Virginia University could be the answer.

Researchers are developing a method to recycle the "frac" water, which would save money for energy companies, and conserve water in endangered streams.

Paul Ziemkiewicz directs the West Virginia Water Research Institute and is leading the research on the recycling method. He said a portable prototype could be in the field as early as the end of this year.

With more than 500 natural gas wells in the tri-state area, the technology could be critical to keeping the peace between the need for cheap energy, and the need for clean water.

“We want clean water and we want power... We want everything!” Jernejcic said, “But it has a cost.”

The Office of Oil and Gas Program Review Committee for the Department of Environmental Protection meets Wednesday in Charleston to evaluate oil and gas regulations, see where they can make improvements, and strike that balance to keep energy affordable, and water drinkable.