Comparison of Water Well Quality Before/After Nearby Hydraulic Fracturing of Gas Wells in Pennsylvania
Thursday, November 13, 2014: 5:30 p.m.
Bryan Swistock
,
Ecosystem Science and Management, Penn State University, University Park, PA
James Clark
,
Penn State Extension, Smethport, PA
Dana Rizzo
,
Penn State Extension, Greensburg, PA
Mark Madden
,
Penn State Extension, Dushore, PA
Elizabeth Boyer
,
Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, Penn State University, University Park, PA
Over three million rural residents in Pennsylvania rely on private water wells for their home or farm water supply. Marcellus Shale gas well drilling is increasingly occurring in proximity to these water wells, raising questions about potential impacts on water quality or quantity. This project sought to provide an unbiased and large scale study of water quality in private water wells both before and after the drilling of Marcellus Shale gas wells nearby, and to document both the enforcement of existing regulations and the utilization of voluntary measures by homeowners to protect water supplies. During 2010-2011, more than 200 private water wells located within about one mile of active Marcellus gas well sites were tested before and after gas well drilling. Water samples were evaluated for 14 to 18 water quality parameters by state-accredited water testing labs. Approximately 40% of the water wells in this study failed at least one drinking water standard before drilling occurred. Dissolved methane gas was detected in about 20% of the water wells before gas drilling occurred although concentrations were generally below 1 mg/L. Statistical analyses did not suggest significant changes in inorganic water quality parameters after gas well drilling or hydraulic fracturing. A small number of water wells, generally within 3000 feet of the nearest gas well, had increases in sediment and metals which may have been due to disturbance from drilling. This research was limited to the study of relatively short-term changes that might occur in water wells near Marcellus gas well sites. Additional monitoring at these or other longer-term studies will be needed to provide a more thorough examination of potential water quality problems related to Marcellus gas well drilling.
Bryan Swistock, Ecosystem Science and Management, Penn State University, University Park, PA
Bryan Swistock is a water resources specialist in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State University. He received a bachelor’s degree in environmental health from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in environmental pollution control from Penn State University. For the past 25 years he has conducted research, teaching, and extension programs on water resources issues throughout Pennsylvania. Since 2007, Swistock has focused his extension and research programs on water issues related to Marcellus gas drilling.
James Clark, Penn State Extension, Smethport, PA
Jim Clark holds an associate’s degree from Alfred State College, and a bachelor of science degree and a master in arts and teaching degree from Cornell University. He has been based in the McKean County Penn State Extension Office since 1989. Clark is co-chair of the Penn State Extension Water Resources Team.
Dana Rizzo, Penn State Extension, Greensburg, PA
Dana Rizzo is an Extension Educator in Water Quality and Water Resources in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. Dana has spent ten years in the water resources field in both Pennsylvania and in Arizona. She has worked in the technical aspects of water resources conducting water tests, doing field studies, and research as well as in the policy and decision-making aspects of water resources.
While in Arizona, she worked with the government officials at the state level to help shape the laws and regulations for Arizona's water. In her present position, she works with residents of Westmoreland and surrounding counties on the management of private water supplies, on-lot septic, pond issues, and public health concerns regarding water. She also works with regional research and policy groups on concerns such as the aging infrastructure of our water and wastewater systems as well as emerging topics such as the potential effects that the natural gas drilling boom could have on private water supplies.
Mark Madden, Penn State Extension, Dushore, PA
Mark Madden is an Agronomy/Water Quality educator with Penn State Extension in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania.
Elizabeth Boyer, Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, Penn State University, University Park, PA
Beth Boyer is an Associate Professor of Water Resources at Penn State University in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management. She is also the Director of the Pennsylvania Water Resources Research Center and the Assistant Director of the Penn State Institutes of Energy & Environment.
