Drilling substances detected in drinking water taps of three Pennsylvania homes
Saturday, May 9, 2015
Researchers in Pennsylvania have discovered shale drilling additives in drinking water taps in homes near the site of a reported well pad leak, Penn State News reports.
Tap water from three homes near a Marcellus Shale gas well pad leak showed 2-BE, a chemical compound as well as an unidentified mixture of organic contaminants. 2-BE and the unidentified mixture are commonly found in Marcellus Shale flowback water. In order to identify the presence of the two chemicals, the research team used new equipment that tested for low concentrations of many contaminants instead of specific substances.
The presence of the two chemicals means that they travelled a kilometer up to drinking water wells. The affected homes are located near a reported pit leak. The researchers believe that the two chemicals moved laterally throw fractures and then ended up at the homes’ well water sources.
Via: Penn State News > New technique shows shale-drilling additives in drinking water taps near leak
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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.