EPA: Study’s results show Marcellus fracking doesn’t cause widespread water pollution
Monday, June 8, 2015
A draft report released by the United States Environmental Protection Agency shows no widespread water pollution from fracking, although it has contaminated some water supplies, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
According to the newspaper, the study’s results showed that the fracking’s water impacts were small compared to the large number of wells. The study analyzed the water in the collection, use, flowback and disposal stages. During those stages, methane gas was detected in groundwater and fracking wastewater had contaminated surface and groundwater. There wasn’t any evidence that fracking fluids or wastewater affected drinking water wells or springs in the study’s sample.
The study was ordered by Congress in 2010.
Via: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette > EPA study shows Marcellus Shale fracking doesn’t cause widespread water pollution
Leave a Comment
Marcellus & Utica Shale Well Map
Additional Shale Maps
Shale FAQ
What is fracking?
Fracking is a slang term for hydraulic fracturing. Fracturing is a process by which highly pressurized fluid is pumped thousands of feet into the ground to fracture rock formations. The goal is to release the natural gas that’s locked inside the rock.
Is it safe?
What most concerns people about fracturing is ground water contamination. The worry is that fractures underground, caused by the process, will extending upwards and into aquifers, releasing gas and chemicals into the ground water supply. There’s been no confirmed reports of such a thing happening. Though surface spills and drill site blowouts can lead to localized environmental concerns.
Will my water catch on fire?
Flammable water is caused by the release of methane gas into a drinking water supply. Methane gas occurs naturally and can be released by any kind of drilling, including water wells. In Pennsylvania officials fined Chesapeake Energy $1 million for contaminating ground water with methane. It was determined that the company had not properly cemented it’s boreholes and gas migrated up the well, between rock and into aquifers.