Natural gas development from shale formations is an effective, well-regulated and proven process. As you may know, each Marcellus Shale well has at least four layers of steel and cement that encase that create impenetrable barrier to prevent fracturing fluids (made up typically of more than 99.5% water and sand) and natural gas from communicating with potable aquifers.
Prior to a natural gas well being developed, operators test all private water wells within 2,500 feet of a proposed well site. These test results serve as a baseline should a homeowner believe their water may have been impacted by natural gas development. Tests are conducted in accordance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards and the results are shared with the individual homeowner and the Pa. DEP.
Various studies – including a recent high-profile, widely-reported one from Duke University – have looked at the issue of methane levels in private water wells and regional drilling activities. We would encourage you to click here to get more fact-based information on that study as well as others.
