The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA, or the Agency) conducted a study that assesses the potential for contamination of underground sources of drinking water (USDWs) from the injection of hydraulic fracturing fluids into coalbed methane (CBM) wells. To increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the study, EPA has taken a phased approach. Apart from using real world observations and gathering empirical data, EPA also evaluated the theoretical potential for hydraulic fracturing to affect USDWs. 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. EPAs decision is consistent with the process outlined in the April, 2001 Final Study Design, which is described in Chapter 2 of this report. The first phase of the study, documented in this report, is a fact-finding effort based primarily on existing literature to identify and assess the potential threat to USDWs posed by the injection of hydraulic fracturing fluids into CBM wells. EPA evaluated that potential based on two possible mechanisms. The first mechanism was the direct injection of fracturing fluids into a USDW in which the coal is located, or injection of fracturing fluids into a coal seam that is already in hydraulic communication with a USDW (e.g., through a natural fracture system). The second mechanism was the creation of a hydraulic connection between the coalbed formation and an adjacent USDW. EPA also reviewed incidents of drinking water well contamination believed to be associated with hydraulic fracturing and found no confirmed cases that are linked to fracturing fluid injection into CBM wells or subsequent underground movement of fracturing fluids. Although thousands of CBM wells are fractured annually, EPA did not find confirmed evidence that drinking water wells have been contaminated by hydraulic fracturing fluid injection into CBM wells. EPA has determined that in some cases, constituents of potential concern (section ES-6) are injected directly into USDWs during the course of normal fracturing operations. The use of diesel fuel in fracturing fluids introduces benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) into USDWs. BTEX compounds are regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).

"June 2004."