Natural Gas Fracking Linked to Water Contamination

            In the article, “EPA: Natural Gas Fracking Linked to Water Contamination” federal environmental agents link the water contamination in Pavillion, Wyoming to hydraulic fracturing.  By definition, hydraulic fracturing is an act in which one attempts to “create fractures in rocks and rock formations by injecting a mixture of sand and water into the cracks to force the underground to open further.” Gas companies such as EnCana, the owner of the Pavillion wells, believe the fracking process is safe. Their belief is that the hydrologic pressure forces fluids down; therefore, the “deep geologic layers provide a watertight barrier preventing the movement of chemicals toward the surface.” Thus, water contamination will not occur through the use of fracking. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) disagrees with companies like EnCana.

            The Environmental Protection Agency states the contamination of Pavilion, Wyoming is an effect of the gas drilling process, better known as fracking. The EPA believes that the contamination leaked from the gas wells, which contained 10 different compounds. The draft report clearly states, “alternative explanations were carefully considered” before publishing the cause of the pollution. Whereas there are those who support the findings of the EPA, Senator James Inhafoe found the report to be “offensive” and has accused the environmental agency to be biased. Whether the findings are true or inaccurate, the report will bring much needed debate on stronger federal regulations of hydraulic fracturing. After the EPA finalizes its report in the spring, this environmental issue could completely change the way our country regulates and develops natural gas resources.

            While each side, environmentalist and those of the drilling industry, have evidence to support their position, neither group is going to take rejection easily. The debate will continue until someone “gets to the bottom” of water contamination in the areas which fracking happens. Amy Mall, Natural Resources Defense Council, declares “no one can accurately say that there is ‘no risk’ where fracking is concerned.”  Mall is attempting to explain that there are different factors that come into play during hydraulic fracturing, and that any of those could go wrong. Mall’s solution is to strive to make and abide by stricter rules for construction and to keep threats away from natural water supplies. Water supplies people use to drink and bathe.

            The debate continues to whether the drilling process accounts for water pollution. After the people involved with EPA “drilled two water monitoring wells to 1,000 ft.” The EPA investigators found extreme levels of chemicals, such as benzene and 2 Butoxyethanol, which are normally used during fracking. The finding of these chemicals further supports the evidence of the cause of water pollution.

            Though the two chemicals were found, it did not conclude the research. Agriculture, drilling and old wastes are still considerations of contamination. I agree with the Environmental Protection Agency. Regardless of the causes of water pollution, citizens need to find solutions. Water pollution is not only detrimental to our planet, but also to our health.

            For further thought, imagine if a gas company provided drinking water for your family. This indicates, at least at some point, they felt a sense of responsibility for the brown water.