{"id":2919,"date":"2011-12-08T14:41:50","date_gmt":"2011-12-08T20:41:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/texas\/?p=2919"},"modified":"2011-12-08T15:44:17","modified_gmt":"2011-12-08T21:44:17","slug":"fracking-contaminated-water-supply-epa-says","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/texas\/2011\/12\/08\/fracking-contaminated-water-supply-epa-says\/","title":{"rendered":"Fracking Contaminated Water Supply, EPA Says"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Photo by KUT News<\/p>

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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released draft findings of its investigation<\/a> of contaminated water in Pavillion, Wyoming today. The agency investigated allegations against a drilling company, Encana<\/a>, which uses a process called hydraulic fracturing<\/a>, or “fracking,” (where a mixture of water, chemicals and sand is pressure-blasted deep underground to create fissures that release oil and gas deposits). This is the first time a federal investigation has made a connection between fracking and contaminated water supplies.<\/p>\n

The EPA bored two deep wells to monitor water in the aquifer, and found “compounds likely associated with gas production practices, including hydraulic fracturing,” the agency said. They found “synthetic chemicals, like glycols and alcohols consistent with gas production and hydraulic fracturing fluids, benzene concentrations well above Safe Drinking Water Act<\/a> standards and high methane levels.” The EPA noted that because of the geology of the area and how close the wells are to ground water, contaminating the aquifer and water supply over time is a concern.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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