As a spokesperson for natural gas companies that partake in hydraulic fracturing, the main argument that I am putting forward is that there is no solid evidence that the processes of my industry are negatively affecting the drinking water supply. Changes to the 1993 Filtration Avoidance Determination (FAD) could pose a great threat to the industry, so it is essential that I make known the truth about the supposed connection between hydraulic fracturing and contaminated water.
A Congressional Research Service report from July 12, 2012 entitled “Hydraulic Fracturing and Safe Drinking Water Act Issues,” by Mary Tiemann and Adam Vann, addresses public concerns about drinking water being effected by nearby fracturing. The report states that there have been no reports from published studies and agency investigations that show a direct correlation between hydraulic fracturing and groundwater contamination. It also implies that the actual migration of gas or fracturing fluids into an aquifer in the case of shale formations would cover a rather large distance, so it is quite difficult and almost impossible.
The report identifies the more probable cause of contaminated drinking water as an issue with the casing or cementing of the natural gas or oil well. Since this also happens with oil wells that have nothing to do with hydraulic fracturing, the industry cannot be solely blamed for any incidents of contamination. In addition, there is usually little information on the water wells that are tested for contamination, which means that they could have already been contaminated before the hydraulic fracturing began.
The industry and process of hydraulic fracturing is undoubtedly something that must be continued. Oil and gas reservoirs around the world are continually decreasing, so there has to be an alternative method available. If there are restrictions placed on hydraulic fracturing, which there shouldn’t be since there is no concrete proof that makes it the definite cause of contaminated drinking water, the United States will eventually lose its resources for gas and oil entirely, and that is something that it absolutely cannot afford to do.
Tiemann, Mary. Hydraulic Fracturing and Safe Drinking Water Act Issues. Washington, D.C.. UNT Digital Library. http://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc83959/. Accessed December 2, 2012.
