Flowback water violation costs company $4.15 million
Monday, September 22, 2014
StateImpact Pennsylvania reports that violations at wastewater impoundments will cost one energy company $4.15 million.
Texas-based Range Resources was fined for violations involving leaks of flowback fluid from fracking. This fluid can contaminate the groundwater and soil.
The wastewater impoundments are located in Washington County, Pennsylvania. While the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection determined that drinking water supplies were not contaminated, residents claim that their drinking water was affected by the leaks.
Via: StateImpact Pennsylvania > Range Resources to pay $4M for violations at western Pa. impoundments
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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.