History, strong regulatory oversight and modernized well casing standards, is the short answer. Specific well integrity and cement regulations have been put in place to ensure potable aquifer and private water wells are protected. Additionally, operators are required to test all know water wells and surface waters within 2,500 feet of a proposed well site prior to development commencing. These results serve as a “baseline” and are shared with the homeowner and state regulatory agency. If a homeowner believes their water quality has been compromised by natural gas development, they should contact the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and request that their water be tested. These test results are then compared with the pre-drill water test results to determine if in fact their water chemistry has changed.
Additionally, the MSC has released several Recommended Practices (RP) pertaining to this matter, including and RP for Pre-Drill Water Supply Surveys and Responding to Stray Gas Incidents.
