Water Contamination & Fracking

Water Contamination and Natural Gas Fracking

Because of a contamination near the town of Pavillion, Wyoming, federal environmental officials have linked underground water pollution to hydraulic fracturing. Environmental Protection Agency officials concluded that the spill in central Wyoming had most likely seeped up from gas wells, because it contained at least ten compounds that are known to be used in frack fluids. There has been a debate about whether or not contamination from fracking is actually occurring. Drilling industries claim that fracking is safe and does not cause water contamination. The industries state that hydrologic pressure naturally forces liquid down instead of up, and that geologic barriers prevent chemicals from moving to the surface. The Wyoming contamination goes against the industries claims completely. However, the companies argue that the science to directly link fracking with water contamination is inconclusive. The finding of these compounds in this particular case could change the way that natural gas resources are regulated by the country. The Environmental Protection Agency concluded that the contamination had to have been caused by fracking.

To keep water from being dangerously contaminated, fracking should be strictly regulated. People that live around areas where fracking frequently takes place should not have to be concerned about whether or not their water is safe to drink or bathe in. The compounds used for oil drilling are unhealthy. Many of them are carcinogens that could negatively impact human health in a huge way. Therefore, stricter regulations on fracking could keep water sources safe, which would help keep residents of the area healthy.