Pennsylvania to Begin Extensive Testing on Possible Fracking-Contaminated Water

Natural gas drilling through a method called high-volume horizontal hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," has become a major cause for concern and citizen uproar in Pennsylvania, where energy companies have tapped into major deposits. But this past week, environmental regulators in Pennsylvania announced that the state would be requesting further testing on water that is treated in both wastewater treatment plants and drinking water treatment plants to see if fracking water is contaminating drinking water supplies.

The process of natural gas drilling through fracking involves injecting large amounts of water into deposits deep below the ground. Natural gas is stored in compacted layers of shale within the bedrock and high-pressure water allows the shale to be broken up quickly so that the natural gas can be released and collected. In order to make the water injections more effective, corrosive and toxic chemicals are added and the water often picks up radioactive substances that are found naturally in rock deposits, including uranium and radium.

After the water is used in the fracking process, it's highly toxic and contains everything from carcinogens to radioactive materials to highly corrosive salts. But major problems arose when it was discovered that energy companies were taking millions of gallons of fracking wastewater to sewage treatment plants. These plants have no treatment steps that could remove the harmful chemicals, and the fracking water was processed through and dumped into rivers, many of which are public drinking water sources. Even worse is that drinking water treatment plants didn't test for radioactivity.

The practice of dumping contaminated water had been going on since at least as recently as 2009, but studies confirmed the problem was kept private and confidential until outside investigations discovered it.

In this week's announcement, state officials said that 25 wastewater treatment plants would be requested to have their water tested in addition to requesting the same from officials in charge of public water supplies. The tests would include analyses of a variety of chemical substances often found in fracking water.

The fracking problem in Pennsylvania has put major criticism on energy companies. Recently, FracFocus.org debuted as a way to offer concerned residents information on the chemicals used by different energy companies which utilize fracking for natural gas drilling. As an online registry, companies all across the United States can submit their information. Additionally, the website contains information on the fracking process and state-by-state regulations.

Rachel Krech provides an in-depth look at current environmental issues and local Chicago news stories. As a college student from the Chicago suburbs pursuing two science degrees, she applies her knowledge and passion to both topics to garner further public awareness.