Fracking Contamination

The Environmental Protection Agency found contaminants in the groundwater near Pavillion, Wyoming. IN the contaminants they found at least ten compounds that are known to be used in frack fluids. These findings are most likely going to shape how the government regulates and obtains natural has resources in that area.

            There has been an argument with the drilling industry for years about whether or not the fracking process is safe for the environment and the people that live near these drilling sites. These new findings allowed for the government to argue for stronger regulation of fracking. The residents in the Pavillion area began complaining about the odor and the brownish color of the water. The EPA took water samples and found the contaminants that are linked to fracking. To validate these findings, EPA investigators drilled two water-monitoring wells. The results from these two wells confirmed the water samples that were previously taken.  Investigators also conducted research on the cement walls that were meant to protect the well bore. They discovered that these cement barriers had become weakened and separated from the well. This caused leakage into the ground.  The company that lead the drilling operation would not provide the EPA with the exact chemicals that they used in fracking. This makes them look even more suspicious because if they truly believed that their operation was not causing the contamination, then they would release a list of the chemicals that they use in their process.

            In my opinion, this drilling company, EnCana, is completely responsible for the pollution in the groundwater in Pavillion. The EPA has acquired enough of results and evidence that link the compounds of the pollution directly to the fracking process. Being that they are the only operation in the area that frack, EnCana is the culprits.