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Study of Potential Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing of Coalbed Methane Wells on Underground Sources of Drinking Water


Contents
Document Collection Download background documents on the Study.
Related Web Sites
Visit other Web sites with information on hydraulic fracturing.
Submit Information
Submit information on potential effects of hydraulic fracturing.
Peer Review Panelists
Background information on the expert peer review panelists and their qualifications.
11th Circuit Court Decision
Information on the December 21, 2001 decision relating to EPA's approval of Alabama's program under Section 1425 of the Safe Drinking Water Act.

EPA has completed a study of the possible impacts of hydraulic fracturing on underground sources of drinking water (USDWs).

The goal of the study was to assess the potential for contamination of USDWs due to the injection of hydraulic fracturing fluids into coalbed methane (CBM) wells, and to determine based on these findings, whether further study is warranted.

In its evaluation, EPA researched over 200 peer-reviewed publications, interviewed approximately 50 employees from state or local government agencies, and communicated with approximately 40 citizens who were concerned that CBM production impacted their drinking water wells. The Agency searched for confirmed incidents of drinking water well damage and after comprehensive review of the information collected, the agency completed an evaluation of the potential threat to USDWs. EPA published a draft report in August 2002 requesting public comment. EPA received a number of public comments on the draft report and incorporated changes as appropriate into the final report.

Based on the information collected and reviewed, EPA has concluded that the injection of hydraulic fracturing fluids into CBM wells poses little or no threat to USDWs and does not justify additional study at this time.

BACKGROUND

Prior to 1997, EPA had not considered regulating hydraulic fracturing because the Agency believed that this well production stimulation process did not fall under the Underground Injection Control (UIC) program's purview, nor under the jurisdiction of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).

In 1994, the Legal Environmental Assistance Foundation (LEAF) challenged that interpretation because LEAF believed the State of Alabama should regulate hydraulic fracturing for coalbed methane development as underground injection. LEAF petitioned EPA to withdraw Alabama’s SDWA Section 1425 UIC program. EPA rejected LEAF's petition, and LEAF litigated. In 1997, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that hydraulic fracturing of coalbeds in Alabama should be regulated under the SDWA as underground injection (LEAF v. EPA, 118 F. 3d 1467). The State was required to modify its UIC program, and in December 1999, EPA approved this revision. Since the 11th Circuit Court's decision, EPA has contacted and been contacted by citizens who expressed concern that practices associated with methane gas production from coalbeds has resulted in contamination of USDWs. This study is the outgrouwth of those contacts.

For more information, contact: Jeff Jollie, Drinking Water Protection Division, Environmental Protection Agency, Mail Code 4606, Ariel Rios Building, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460; Phone: (202) 564-3886; E-Mail: jollie.jeff@epa.gov.

 

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