Leaks of fracking waste water from three impoundments in Washington County have contaminated soil and groundwater, prompting the state to issue a violation notice at one site and increase monitoring and testing at another.
John Poister, a state Department of Environmental Protection spokesman, said the problems at three of Range Resources Inc.’s nine Washington County impoundments have raised concerns and increased regulators’ scrutiny. The impoundments store flowback and waste water from multiple Marcellus Shale well drilling and fracking operations.
“We have had some discussions with Range about its impoundments,” Mr. Poister said. “We are looking at them and discussing things with them.
“But in terms of saying all Range impoundments are bad, we can’t say that. But we are likely stepping up our inspections, and actually have done so already.”
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Township manager Don Gennuso said the township sent letters last week to about 50 residents along Swihart Road, most of whom use private water wells, informing them of the findings. It urged them to inform the DEP if their well water developed a foul odor or taste and to immediately get their water tested.
“At no time was the township board or its residents notified of the potential contamination,” Mr. Gennuso said. “I know they don’t want to scare people, but we really need in to be informed.”
State: Fracking waste tainted groundwater, soil at three Washington County sites - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
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