Jacksona,b,c,1 acenter on global change, nicholas school of the environment, bdivision of earth and ocean sciences, nicholas school of the environment, and cbiology department, duke university, durham, nc. Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, refers to the process by which fluid is injected into wells. Fracking and water pollution global energy monitor. Epa reverses course, highlights fracking contamination of. Why fracking is bad for your health friends of the earth scotland supporters briefing spring 2017 there is growing evidence that shale gas and coalbed methane extraction are linked to numerous potential adverse health impacts. Just after exco resources fractured the well, area residents said that two nearby water wells became. Pennsylvania had confirmed at least 106 water well contamination cases since 2005, out of more than 5,000 new wells. Epas longignored 1987 report found that fracturing fluid from a shale gas well more than 4,000 feet deep had contaminated well water. Across the pennsylvania countryside, water buffalos large tubs filled each week or so by water delivery trucks are now. Although dissolved methane in drinking water is not currently classified as a health hazard for ingestion, it is an asphyxiant in enclosed spaces and an explosion and fire hazard 8. It took nearly a decade, but former epa scientist dominic digiulio has proved that fracking has polluted groundwater in wyoming. In 2010, these concerns caused congress to commission epa to complete an indepth study detailing fracking s association with drinking water contamination. Many people are concerned about actual or potential contamination of drinking water aquifers with fracking chemicals and with methane shale gas. Fracking s impact on public water resources examples of water pollution in the united states from shale development fracking has been implicated in the contamination of water supplies across the united states.
Epas study of hydraulic fracturing and its potential impact on drinking water resources. The global fracking water treatment market is expected to observe growth over the forecast period. While the findings of this research are based on fracking sites in the us, they may also be useful for other regions where fracking is being actively pursued, such as the uk, and could help to develop policies and techniques to reduce the risk of environmental contamination. Water contamination pennsylvania fracking health impacts. A third concern is the sheer volume of water required within fracking operations, especially in water scarce areas. Fracking has contaminated drinking water, epa now concludes. Hydraulic fracturing contamination in drinking water supply. Pennsylvania fracking water contamination much higher than. The entire fracking process, from digging wells to waste management, is too complex and risky to be regulated. Fracking doesnt contaminate water supplies, faulty shale gas wells do leaks from faulty shale gas and oil wells have contaminated water supplies, but fracking itself is not to blame, scientists say.
Hydraulic fracturing tort litigation summary february 6, 2020 blake watson samuel a. The usgs monitors the environmental impact of this practice across the country, from potential earthquakes to degraded groundwater quality. Though the industry has attempted to obscure evidence of well water contamination by fracking, multiple instances have come to light. Some, including industry representatives, define hydraulic fracturing narrowly, referring only to the process by which fluids are injected into a well bore. New rules are needed to protect our health and environment from contaminated wastewater table 1. Unfortunately, public health studies of frackingrelated health effects have been complicated by factors such as the short length of time that the process has been documented, soa fracking is a term commonly used to describe both.
Research has determined that human health is affected. Frackings impact on public water resources examples of water pollution in the united states from shale development fracking has been implicated in the contamination of water supplies across the united states. Evidence builds that fracking contaminates water, pollutes air, threatens public health, causes earthquakes, harms local economies and. Hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as fracking, is the process of injecting water, sand, andor chemicals into a well to break up underground bedrock to free up oil or gas reserves. There are multiple issues that concern those opposed, including the potential for aquifer contamination during the process and pollution from wastewater, or produced water, coming out of the process. Chemicals used for fracking can contaminate surface and groundwater with regulated toxins and chemicals known to cause cancer.
For example, fracking in the marcellus shale region in the northeastern united states has raised concerns of potential environmental pollution kerr, 2010. Water consumption fracking requires huge volumes of water for each. A longawaited study by the epa finds that fracking has led to impacts on drinking water resources, including contamination of drinking water. Dec, 2016 this puts to rest the widely repeated lie that fracking is safe and has never caused drinking water contamination. Fracking came into americans lives swiftly and ubiquitously. Julia walsh from frack action said, the epa has rightly reported that fracking causes water contamination. We showed that groundwater contamination occurred as a result of hydraulic fracturing, digiulio said in an interview. The fracking industry is exempt from multiple laws that protect the environment and water, so they are not responsible for any.
But as fracking has increased so have concerns about its health and environmental impacts. This includes 1 federal regulation of all hydraulic. The water contaminants from fracking are a hazard to our health and environment. The study looks at how the fracking water lifecycle can impact drinking water sources. The fluid used in fracturing contains toxic chemicals.
How the epa linked fracking to contaminated well water. If well casings crack, fracking chemicals can contaminate the. Next, that water is mixed with various chemical additives that will help it break up that rock. Epa releases fracking risk assessment article eesi. Jun 05, 2015 a longawaited study by the epa finds that fracking has led to impacts on drinking water resources, including contamination of drinking water wells, in a reversal for the obama administration. Contamination of drinking water in areas close to several fracking sites in the. Pennsylvania has a long, terrible history of water contamination from drilling and fracking. Fracking linked to groundwater contamination in pavillion, wyoming contaminants that likely came from fracking were found in an aquifer that supplies drinking water. Final epa study confirms fracking contaminates drinking water.
One risk is the contamination of aquifers, which are huge natural reserves of underground water. The controversial process has been linked to water contamination and the disposal of wastewater from fracking has triggered earthquakes. An official website of the united states government. A third concern is the sheer volume of water required within fracking operations, especially in waterscarce areas. Communities living near gas fields report a wide range of.
For the oil and gas industry, better treatment of wastewater should increase its reuse and reduce the demand for fresh water for the hydraulic fracking process. If the information you are looking for is not here, you may be able to. Fracking what it is and its effects on the environment. Based on 2,309 previously unreported fracking complaints unearthed by the nonprofit public herald, the public can now peek into 1,275 fracking water complaints from 17 of 40 fracking counties. The oil and gas industry is seeking to bring fracking into our national forests, around sever. Concern about the impact of fracking s significant water use on local water resources, especially in dry lands, as well the potential for water pollution has led to a number of studies. Epa finds fracking can impact drinking water, shifts focus. Brantley and others published engaging over data on fracking and water quality find, read and cite all the. This study seeks to evaluate the potential impact of gas drilling and hydraulic fracturing on shallow groundwater quality by comparing areas. Epas study of hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas and. The damage to our water, land and climate from a decade. Fracking linked to groundwater contamination in pavillion. However, pennsylvanias official tally of water contamination is only 271 for all 40 counties.
One of the gravest threats posed by fracking is the contamination of drinking water wells, vital sources of water for many rural communities. Drilling companies often must drill well bores through aquifers to reach shale gas layers. Sep 23, 2015 there are multiple issues that concern those opposed, including the potential for aquifer contamination during the process and pollution from wastewater, or produced water, coming out of the process. A new study now under question says that methane contamination of drinking water is unrelated to fracking, contradicting recent studies. Key impacts of dirty drilling at the state and national level in colorado, fracking has already damaged 57,000 acres of land, equal to onethird of the acreage in the states park system. Unfortunately, public health studies of fracking related health effects have been complicated by factors such as the short length of time that the process has been documented, soa fracking is a term commonly used to describe both.
Researchers have described an array of environmental factors and health risks associated with fracking and other extraction processes. However, pennsylvanias official tally of water contamination is. Epas study of hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas and its potential impact on drinking water resources epa released the final report, hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas. The fracking industry is exempt from multiple laws that protect the environment and water, so they. Environmental protection agency today issued a final report on the connection between hydraulic fracturing and contamination in drinking water. Advanced water treatment for hydraulic fracking water. After stressing in june 2015 that there was no widespread, systematic impact on water, the agency now is emphasizing that fracking can affect drinking water under some circumstances.
Zagar hydraulic fracturing for natural gasses has become widespread in the united states, but the process also creates potential negative impacts on water quality. Chemical composition of fracking wastewater subscribe to free. Fracking can contaminate drinking water scientific american. Fracking generates income, creates new jobs, and could reduce air pollution and even water use compared science of the total environment 580 2017 953957. Demand for natural gas has ballooned in the united states in recent years, and as a result, hydraulic fracturing rapidly became a widespread practice. Water contamination from fracking lng in northern bc. Water quality and quantity are often considered when determining whether a surface. Assessment of the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing. Contamination of underground aquifers hydraulic fracturing pipes often pass through shallow aquifers. Hydraulic fracturing informally known as hydrofracking, fracking, fracing, or hydrofracturing is a process that typically involves injecting water, sand, and or chemicals under high pressure into a bedrock formation via a well.
There are two main concerns about fracking and water. Methane tested in both ground water and well water suggests its migration from fracking wells to nearby drinking water wells, surface water, and atmosphere. A pennsylvania resident ignites the tap water in her kitchen. In fact, water is involved in every stage of the fracking cycle. Environmental impact of hydraulic fracturing wikipedia. Pdf engaging over data on fracking and water quality.
Air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and threats to worker health are also causing alarm. The united states environmental protection agency epa is completing a study on hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas, and its potential impact on drinking water. Unfortunately, the extent of its potential for water pollution is still unknown, though alarm bells are now sounding. Fracking doesnt contaminate water supplies, faulty shale. Oil and gas companies draw water from the local water supply in massive quantities to be used for fracturing underground shale rock. Although fracturing in shale has developed in the past decade, fracturing has been used in conventional drilling for over sixty. Fracking has been discussed from revolutionary to disastrous, and in reality it is blessing and curse. The epas findings about fracking s contamination of ground water have sent a shockwave through a gas industry in denial. Dec, 2016 burke said that the new report found evidence that fracking has contributed to drinking water contamination in all stages of the process. For all of the americans living with this tragedy every day, they are finally validated by the federal government. May 17, 2011 directional drilling and hydraulicfracturing technologies are dramatically increasing naturalgas extraction. Fracking operations consume and contaminate enormous quantities of water. Water and air pollution are the biggest risks to human health from hydraulic fracturing.
This includes both surface water bodies and underground rock formaions. Surface water is the preferred source, because the region where the oil extraction is occurring contains the missouri river, through which approximately 96 percent of the water in north. Apr 06, 2015 a pennsylvania resident ignites the tap water in her kitchen. In aquifers overlying the marcellus and utica shale formations of northeastern pennsylvania and upstate new york, we document systematic evidence for methane contamination of drinking water associated with shalegas extraction. Hydraulic fracturing and its impact on water resources.
Fracking has become one of the hot topics in both the media and science. Pdf impacts of hydraulic fracturing on water quality. In this report, drinking water resources are considered to be any water that now serves, or in the future could serve, as a. Hydraulic fracturing can potentially contaminate drinking water. Apr 04, 2016 fracking can contaminate drinking water. Methane contamination of drinking water accompanying gas.
Dec, 2016 epa finds fracking can impact drinking water, shifts emphasis from earlier report to focus on risks. Fracking threatens drinking water clean water action. The shale oil and gas revolution, hydraulic fracturing, and. The environmental impact of hydraulic fracturing is related to land use and water consumption, air emissions, including methane emissions, brine and fracturing fluid leakage, water contamination, noise pollution, and health. Data from fracking wells in pennsylvania from 2010 to 2012 show a 6 to 7 percent rate of well failure due to compromised structural integrity p. Methane contamination of drinking water accompanying gaswell.
Methane contamination of drinking water accompanying gaswell drilling and hydraulic fracturing stephen g. The gwpc and the iogcc provided the epa with over 39,000 pdf. Growing need to treat water used during hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling to prevent groundwater contamination is expected remain a key factor driving the global market over the next seven years. Impacts from the hydraulic fracturing water cycle on drinking water resources.
Fracking fact sheet the best evidence indicates widespread contamination of drinking water wells within 1 kilometre of gas wells, and the rate of venting and leakage of methane to the atmosphere is sufficient to give shale gas a larger greenhouse gas footprint than any other fossil fuel. Water contaminants from fracking water benefits health. Why fracking is bad for your health friends of the earth. Hydraulic fracturing and water resources 65 we note that there is no single definition of hydraulic fracturing. Fracking water treatment market size global industry. Fracking is the cause for severe water contamination, along with water overuse, water contamination from fracking is extremely dangerous since the public is not aware of the hundreds of chemicals used in the fluids. Two recent studies from duke university assessed the water footprint of the full life cycle of each step of the fracking. Directional drilling and hydraulicfracturing technologies are dramatically increasing naturalgas extraction. Key impacts of dirty drilling at the state and national level. Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is the practice of injecting water.