A new report from the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) confirms shale development has not negatively impacted water quality. This third report in the study’s series, confirms similar conclusions the multi-state regulatory body made in 2014. In 2010, the commission placed automatic sensors monitoring water quality data every five minutes throughout 58 watersheds in the Marcellus Shale region of the Susquehanna River Basin. After three years of data collection, the analysis concluded water quality has not changed and there have not been negative impacts on aquatic insects. And further, water chemistry indicates “good” water quality. This SRBC study comes on the heels of a multi-year, in-depth Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) review of hydraulic fracturing, concluding the more than 60-year-old, highly-regulated technology has “not led to widespread, systemic impacts on drinking water resources.” Key takeaways from the study:
- No change in water quality: With continuous monitoring from 2010-2013, data collected did not indicate any changes in water quality.
- “Good” water quality: With a few exceptions, the water chemistry at the monitoring stations indicates good water quality.
- No impact on aquatic insects: The results of aquatic insect monitoring were not affected by the density of upstream natural gas wells or pads.
SRBC’s fact-based findings add to the growing body of research concluding the safety of clean-burning, locally-produced natural gas, which is improving our environment, creating good-paying jobs and driving our economy. For more fact-based information about responsible, job-creating shale development, visit our blog, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
