EPA Finds Hydraulic Fracturing Contaminates Drinking Water Wells

The EPA reports that drinking water wells near oil and gas developments using hydraulic fracturing have been found to be contaminated by toxic compounds used in the process.

“Our families and neighbors are experiencing everything from miscarriages and rare cancers to central nervous system disorders, seizures, and liver disease.” – John Fenton, Pavillion Area Concerned Citizens

The EPA began sampling drinking water wells in the Pavillion, Wyoming, area in March 2009 as part of a Superfund investigation. The investigation was in response to concerns from landowners about changing water quality and quantity after the company EnCana increased the development of gas production in the area.

According to both EnCana and the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, there was no evidence of toxic chemicals in the wells, but the EPA is finding differently. The agency informed a local citizens group last month that 11 out of 39 wells tested were indeed contaminated, and contained toxics used in oil and gas production.

The EPA confirmed the presence of 2-butoxyethanol (2-BE) in three wells. This chemical is a known constituent in hydraulic fracturing fluids, and is the same chemical documented in the drinking water well of a Colorado landowner, Laura Amos, after wells nearby were hydraulically fractured by EnCana. Other water contamination found by the EPA in the Pavillion wells included methane, adamantanes (a form of hydrocarbon), and six other chemical compounds of concern.

Residents in the Pavillion area are now calling for a stop to EnCana’s hydraulic fracturing as a result of the EPA findings. The EPA said they will continue to sample water wells in the area and work with EnCana to find the source and extent of the toxic contamination.

“It’s very concerning that we are finding known fracturing products and hydrocarbons in our citizens’ water wells. We’ll await EPA’s determination as to what is the cause of this contamination.  However, in the mean time, we are asking EnCana to ensure no more fracturing occurs in the area.” – Fenton

The Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act (S. 1215/HR 2766) was introduced in June to require the disclosure of fracturing chemicals to public agencies and remove the exemption for hydraulic fracturing under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

“This shows why federal regulation of fracturing and drilling operations is so important.  We have been seeking answers from EnCana and the State of Wyoming for years.  We are very pleased that EPA is now getting results.  All citizens deserve clean water.” – Deb Thomas, organizer, Power River Basin Resource Council and Pavillion Area of Concerned Citizens

[As a westerner myself, I hope that the health of U.S. citizens heavily outweighs the right of corporations to do as they wish when pursuing a profit, regardless of our country's energy needs.]

Image: ProPublica under Creative Commons License

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