Tim McDonnell reports that the Environmental Protection Agency today released a long-awaited draft report on the impact of fracking on drinking water supplies. The analysis, which drew on peer-reviewed studies as well as state and federal databases, found that activities associated with fracking do have the potential to impact drinking water resources. But it concluded that in the United States, these impacts have been few and far between.
The report identifies several possible areas of concern, including 1. water withdrawals in times of, or in areas with, low-water availability, 2. spills of hydraulic fracturing fluids and produced water, 3. fracturing directly into underground drinking water resources, 4. below ground migration of liquids and gases, and 5. inadequate treatment and discharge of water. However, the report says, that they did not find evidence that these mechanisms have led to widespread, systemic impacts on drinking water resources.
The report considered not only the hydraulic fracturing action itself, but all of the water-related steps necessary to drill, from acquiring water to disposing of it. The report, which the Obama administration had hoped would provide a definitive answer to a core question about the controversial drilling technique, has been five years in the making. During that time, the EPA has faced numerous battles with the oil and gas industry to procure the necessary data. Even before the report was released, some scientists voiced skepticism about the reports findings because of gaps in the data regarding the types of chemicals that were present in water supplies prior to fracking activities.
Other non-EPA studies also found toxic chemicals or hydrocarbons in water wells were present before oil and gas development began.
Resource Portal for I2M Clients, Associates, and Geoscientists
Managed & Built by I2M Consulting, LLC | © 2010-
Managed & Built by I2M Consulting, LLC | © 2010-