| Abstract |
The EPA’s study includes the development of several research projects, extensive review of the literature and technical input from state, industry, and non-governmental organizations as well as the public and other stakeholders. A series of technical roundtables and in-depth technical workshops were held to help address specific research questions and to inform the work of the study. The study is designed to address research questions posed for each stage of the hydraulic fracturing water cycle: (1) Water Acquisition: What are the possible impacts of large volume water withdrawals from ground and surface waters on drinking water resources? (2) Chemical Mixing: What are the possible impacts of surface spills of hydraulic fracturing fluid on or near well pads on drinking water resources? (3) Well Injection: What are the possible impacts of the injection and fracturing process on drinking water resources? (4) Flowback and Produced Water: What are the possible impacts of surface spills of flowback and produced water on or near well pads on drinking water resources? and (5) Waste water Treatment and Waste Disposal: What are the possible impacts of inadequate treatment of hydraulic fracturing wastewaters on drinking water resources? The report is the product of one of the research projects conducted as part of the EPA’s study. It has undergone independent, external peer review in accordance with Agency policy and all of the peer review comments received were considered in the report’s development. The EPA’s study will contribute to the understanding of the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing activities for oil and gas on drinking water resources and the factors that may influence those impacts. The study will help facilitate and inform dialogue among interested stakeholders, including Congress, other Federal agencies, states, tribal government, the international community, industry, non-governmental organizations, academia, and the general public. |
