EPA to Study Hydraulic Fracturing on Drinking Water Resources

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the next steps in its congressionally mandated hydraulic fracturing study. Officials have identified seven case studies to help inform the assessment of potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources.

The sites identified were selected following extensive input from stakeholders, including the public, local and state officials, industry and environmental organizations. To ensure the agency maintains the current timeline for the study, the EPA will begin fieldwork in some of the selected regions this summer.

The studies, which will take place in regions across the country, will be broken into two study groups. Two of the seven sites were selected as prospective case studies where EPA will monitor key aspects of the hydraulic fracturing process throughout the lifecycle of a well.

Source: EPA