Hallstead Susquehanna County Baseline Water Testing Arsenic Barium Strontium

Sample Information- Sample # 1 (Well)
Susquehanna County, Hallstead Borough

Site: No release

Drilled Well- 250 feet, drilled in 1993 – no treatment

Purge Time – 10:38 to 11:15 am

Estimated – Latitude/ Longitude (No release to Public - Data only in Database)

Lab Number – XXXXXXXX (Microbac Lab- Lab ID - 1208032)

3/22/2012 at 11:15 am

Parameter                                 Result               Action / Regulated      Comment

pH  (field- f)                             7.29                             6.5 to 8.5                    OK

ORP (f) (mv)                            + 344                           no standard                 OK

Conductivity (f)(uS/cm)          194 uS/cm                   no standard                    OK

Est. TDS* (f) (mg/L)              126 mg/L                     < 500 mg/L                OK

Temperature (f) (C)               8.79 C                         no standard                     OK

Odor                                        NONE                         < 3                          OK

Color                                       Clear                           no standard                   OK

Dissolved Oxygen                  10.07 mg/L                  no standard                     OK

(f)(mg/L)

Arsenic                                   0.0013 mg/L                < 0.010 mg/L              OK

Barium                                    0.15 mg/L                    < 2 mg/L                     OK

Chloride                                  1.35 mg/L                    < 250 mg/L                 OK

Ethane                                    < 0.005 mg/L              no standard                   OK

Methane                                 < 0.005 mg/L              < 7 mg/L                   OK

Sodium                                    13 mg/L                       no standard                    OK

Strontium                                0.35 mg/L                    no standard                     OK

Turbidity                                 1.1 mg/L                      < 5 ntu                         OK

The following are my general comments:

1. Aeration device on sink was not removed- it would have been better for the sampler to select an alternative sampling site.  The high dissolved oxygen value suggests re-aeration was occurring.

2. It would have been better for the laboratory to conduct an analysis for total dissolved solids rather than estimating a value based on the conductivity reading.   The value is only a good estimate.

3. It is very good that the sampler noted the lack of odor and color.

4. Because of the estimated total dissolved solids, it would have been advisable to test the water for total hardness, iron, and manganese.   This is further supported by the fact that the water had a turbidity of 1.1 ntu.  This suggests there could be some reduced iron and manganese in the water.

5. In the field log – the sampler does not provide the units for the field measurements, but they appear to correct for this in the report.  It would have been best to have this on the field data sheet.

6. It is very good that you had the water tested for arsenic.

7. Overall, the screening test was very good.  There does seem to be a few parameters lacking, but this could be corrected by conducting some additional testing or making sure to allow a natural gas company to sample your water.

The primary issues with natural gas development have been associated with methane gas migration (Your OK), discolored water (your are lacking testing for iron and manganese),  and the potential for saltwater migration (Your OK).  In addition, it has been suggested that bromide may be a good secondary indicator for saline water and drilling mud migration.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank your fellow private well owner for releasing this data to help other well owners in the area.  Thanks for supporting the Citizens Groundwater Database a free program in Pennsylvania.

Reviewed by:

Mr. Brian Oram, PG
Water-Research Center – Free Information on Water Quality

http://www.water-research.net

Assistance with Baseline Water Testing

Questions – 570-335-1947

Please Participate in Our Private Well Survey at:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NMG6RQ3

If you would like a free booklet on Private Well Water Quality, go to:

http://www.bfenvironmental.com/pdfs/Waterbooklet070610.pdf

New Fact Sheet on Methane Gas Migration (NEW Web-Portal)

Well by Well Review of Dimock, PA - Well Water - Thanks EPA (NEW Web-Portal)

Private Well Water Quality Susquehanna County Dimock PA

Comment

1. Without predrilling data, it is not possible to comment on the cause for any water quality problems.

2. Where possible, I have noted situations where elevated levels of a water quality parameter exists in Pennsylvania.

3. If duplicate analysis provided, I attempted to use the highest reported value.

4. New Document - http://water.epa.gov/action/advisories/drinking/upload/dwstandards2011.pdf

5. This is not about cause and effect; it is about a review of the data.

Well – HW-20 (1/30/2012)

With the exception of the following parameters, the remaining values were reported as NOT Detected (U)

Heterotrophic Bacteria – 67 colonies per 100 ml ( I do not understand the J value).  The drinking water limit is < 500 colonies per 100 ml (OK).

Total Coliform < 1 colony per 100 ml (OK)

Aluminum – < 0.030 mg/L (Total) - drinking water standard ranges from 0.05 to 0.2 mg/L.   This parameter is regulated as a secondary drinking water standard, because of aesthetic reasons.   The treated water level of aluminum is < 0.030 mg/L.  (OK)

Anionic Surfactants –< 0.01 mg/L – the secondary drinking water standard for foaming agents is 0.5 mg/L.  (OK)

http://www.chemetrics.com/products/pdf/detergents.pdf

Arsenic – < 0.002 mg/L – drinking water standard is <  0.010 mg/L – this does not suggest any specific impact and arsenic is a common problem in NEPA – about 6 % of private wells have arsenic above 0.010 mg/L.  The treated water level of arsenic was

< 0.002 mg/L and treated and filtered < 0.002 mg/L.  (OK)

http://www.water-research.net/arsenic.htm

Barium – 0.0328 mg/L – the primary drinking water standard for barium is 2.0 mg/L –– this does not suggest any specific impact and barium is typically detectable in non-saline impacted water at a level of less than 1 mg/L. After treatment, the concentration is 0.0329 mg/L.  (OK)

Bromide – < 0.5 mg/L - In freshwater, bromide is typically less than 0.05 mg/L. Therefore, it would be advisable to retest using a method with a lower detection limit.

Other References

http://www.cdph.ca.gov/certlic/drinkingwater/Pages/MCLReview2012.aspx
http://water.epa.gov/scitech/drinkingwater/dws/ccl/ccl3.cfm#chemical

Boron –< 0.050 mg/L (Total) – no specific drinking water standard drinking water standard is available. EPA appears to have a long-term health advisory of 2.0 mg/L, but other states have limits that range from 0.6 to 1 mg/L.  

Source: http://www.epa.gov/ogwdw/ccl/pdfs/reg_determine2/healthadvisory_ccl2-reg2_boron_summary.pdf

http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/boron.pdf

Calcium- 22.40 mg/L (Total)– no specific drinking water standard drinking water standard is available.  After treatment, the level of Calcium is 22.10 mg/L.(OK)

Chloride –3.41 mg/L (OK) – drinking water standard is <  250 mg/L – this does not suggest any specific impact.   After treatment, the reported value was 3.1 mg/L (OK).

Chromium-< 0.002 mg/L (D) and the EPA/ PADEP primary drinking water standard is

< 0.100 mg/L (OK).

Copper – 0.0045 mg/L  (Untreated) - the secondary drinking water standard is 1.0 mg/L and the primary drinking water standard is 1.3 mg/L. (OK)  At the tap the level was 0.0039 mg/L.

Ethane –< 0.0012 mg/L  – No specific drinking water standard (OK)

Fluoride – 0.109 mg/L – drinking water standard is < 2 mg/L- PADEP drinking water standard is 2 mg/L.   After treatment, the reported value was 0.124 mg/L (OK).

Iron – < 0.100 mg/L (Total) – Iron is regulated as a secondary drinking water standard in Pennsylvania and the action limit is 0.3 mg/L.  Therefore, the total iron content does not exceed the secondary drinking water standard.  (OK)

Lead – 0.0024 mg/L (Total) - Lead is regulated as a primary standard (EPA and PA) at 0.015 mg/L, but the action level in PA for source water is 0.005 mg/L. (OK)

Lithium – < 0.200 mg/L (Total) – no specific drinking water standard drinking water standard is available, but EPA has recommend a level be below 0.7 mg/L    (OK)

http://www.water-research.net/Waterlibrary/privatewell/lithium.pdf

Methane –  < 0.0095 mg/L   – No specific drinking water standard.  The well water is below the new action limit of 7 mg/L.   After treatment, the level of methane is < 0.0095 mg/L. For more details, go to http://www.water-research.net/methanegas.htm

Magnesium-5.71 mg/L– no specific drinking water standard drinking water standard is available.  (OK)  The treated water level of magnesium was 5.57 mg/L.

Manganese– 0.0026 mg/L (Total) – Manganese is regulated as a secondary drinking water standard in Pennsylvania and the action limit is 0.05 mg/L.  Therefore, the total manganese content does not exceed the secondary drinking water standard.   After treatment the level is 0.0023 mg/L. (OK)

Nickel – < 0.001 mg/L  – no specific drinking water standard drinking water standard

is available, but the EPA has suggest a MCL of 0.1 mg/L.   (OK) 

http://www.epa.gov/ogwdw/pdfs/factsheets/ioc/tech/nickel.pdf

Potassium – <  2.0 mg/L (Total–  no specific drinking water standard drinking water standard is available (OK)

Sodium –6.21  mg/L  – no specific drinking water standard drinking water standard is available, but the EPA has added it to the Candidate List to provide more analysis.  The EPA’s initial value of 20 mg/L has been clearly identified as not realistic.  When chloride (salt is sodium chloride) is present at a concentration of over 250 mg/L, the water can have an “off” taste. At 400+ mg/L chloride, the water will taste definitely salty. (Source- Dr. Brian Redmond, Professional Geologist).  After treatment, the level was 6.04 mg/L. (OK)

Sulfate –5.73 mg/L (OK) – drinking water standard is <  250 mg/L – this does not suggest any specific impact.

Strontium – < 0.200 mg/L   – no specific drinking water standard drinking water standard is available, but it is on the EPA Candidate List.  The EPA recommends that drinking water levels of nonradioactive strontium should not be more than 4 mg/L.  The report limit is consistent with background levels in Northeastern Pennsylvania.  If the background level was above 4 mg/L, it would be advisable to test for radiological parameters, especially alpha/beta.  (OK)  After treatment, the level is < 0.200 mg/L.

Total Dissolved Solids  – 48 mg/L  (Value appears low) – Total Dissolved Solids is regulated as a secondary drinking water standard by the PADEP in Pennsylvania and the action limit is 500 mg/L.  After treatment, the level was 109 mg/L (OK- Retesting Recommended).

Total Suspended Solids - < 10 mg/L – no standard, but would recommend retesting to obtain a lower detection limit.

Uranium –< 0.001 mg/L (Total) – Uranium is regulated as a primary drinking water standard by the EPA and PADEP in Pennsylvania and the action limit is 0.030 mg/L.  (OK)

Zinc  –0.0127 mg/L – Zinc is regulated as a secondary drinking water standard by the PADEP in Pennsylvania and the action limit is 5.0 mg/L. After treatment, the level of zinc was 0.0158 mg/L. (OK)

Nitrate+Nitrite- N – 0.42 mg/L, this is well below the EPA / PADEP drinking water limit of 10mg N/L for nitrate-N and would also be below the limit of 1.0 mg N/L for nitrite-N. (OK)

Acetone - the reported value was < 0.002 mg/L.  PADEP has a Medium Specific Concentration (MSC) for aquifers with a TDS of < 2500 mg/L of 33.0 mg/L and Massachusetts appears to have a drinking water standard of 6.3 mg/L. (OK)

http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/drinking/standards/acetone.htm

Bromoform – < 0.0005 mg/L – the Total Trihalomethane Group has a limit of 0.08 mg/L, but bromoform should be less than 0.004 mg/L.  (OK)

http://www.water-research.net/trihalomethanes.htm

Methyl ethyl ketone – < 0.002 mg/L in the treated water and untreated water. (OK)

Methyl ethyl ketone is a colorless volatile liquid that is soluble in water. The odor threshold for methyl ethyl ketone is 5.4 parts per million (ppm), with an acetone-like odor reported. Methyl ethyl ketone is also referred to as 2-butanone.   The EPA and PADEP has not set a drinking water standard, but it appears that Massachusetts has set a level of 4 mg/L.

http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/hlthef/methylet.html

http://www.npi.gov.au/substances/methyl-ethyl-ketone/health.html

http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/drinking/standards/meketone.htm

Ethylene glycol –  the reported value is < 10 mg/L – there is not standard, but the EPA has a guidance limit of < 7 mg/L.  Other states have lower and higher standards:

New Jersey 0.300 mg/L (300 ppb)

Arizona 5.5 mg/L (5500 ppb)

New Hampshire 7.0 mg/L (7000 ppb)

Florida, Massachusetts, and Minnesota14.0 mg/L (14,000 ppb)

Minnesota

At a minimum, I would recommend retesting for ethylene glycol other and glycol-type compounds using a method that is more sensitive or conducting some type of standard additions analysis.  In addition, it would be advisable to retest the level of total dissolved solids and conduct a first flush test for copper, lead, and zinc.

This document can not be copied in whole or part without the expressed written permission of Mr. Brian Oram, B.F. Environmental Consultants Inc. http://www.bfenvironmental.com

Do you want to make a positive change in PA - that will cost you NO Money?
Help Support the Citizens Groundwater and Surfacewater Database and Submit Your Baseline Data !

 Free Information on Drinking Water Quality - http://www.water-research.net

HW-19 Dimock Data Review - EPA Findings - barium, chloride, phthalates

Comment

1. Without predrilling data, it is not possible to comment on the cause for any water quality problems.

2. Where possible, I have noted situations where elevated levels of a water quality parameter exists in Pennsylvania.

3. If duplicate analysis provided, I attempted to use the highest reported value.

4. New Document - http://water.epa.gov/action/advisories/drinking/upload/dwstandards2011.pdf

5. This is not about cause and effect; it is about a review of the data.

6. A Well by Well - Review of the Data for Dimock, PA collected by EPA

Well – HW-19

With the exception of the following parameters, the remaining values were reported as NOT Detected (U)

Anionic Surfactants – 0.014mg/L – the secondary drinking water standard for foaming agents is 0.5 mg/L.  (OK)

http://www.chemetrics.com/products/pdf/detergents.pdf

Barium – 0.229 mg/L – the primary drinking water standard for barium is 2.0 mg/L –– this does not suggest any specific impact and barium is typically detectable in non-saline impacted water at a level of less than 1 mg/L. (OK)

Calcium- 37.6 mg/L (Total)– no specific drinking water standard drinking water standard is available.  (OK)

Chloride – 18.7 mg/L (OK) – drinking water standard is <  250 mg/L – this does not suggest any specific impact.

Chromium- 0.0032 mg/L (D) and the EPA/ PADEP primary drinking water standard is < 0.100 mg/L (OK).

Copper – 0.0074 mg/L (OK)- the secondary drinking water standard is 1.0 mg/L and the primary drinking water standard is 1.3 mg/L. (OK)

Ethane – < 0.0012 mg/L  – No specific drinking water standard (OK)

Methane –  < 0.002 mg/L  – No specific drinking water standard. (OK).

The well water is not above the new action limit of 7 mg/L.   For more details, go to http://www.water-research.net/methanegas.htm

Magnesium- 7.72 mg/L (D)– no specific drinking water standard drinking water standard is available.  (OK)

Manganese– 0.0082 mg/L (Total)– Manganese is regulated as a secondary drinking water standard in Pennsylvania and the action limit is 0.05 mg/L.  Therefore, the total manganese content does not exceed the secondary drinking water standard.   (OK)

Nickel - 0.0017 mg/L (D) – no specific drinking water standard drinking water standard is available, but the EPA has suggest a MCL of 0.1 mg/L.   (OK)

http://www.epa.gov/ogwdw/pdfs/factsheets/ioc/tech/nickel.pdf

Nitrate+Nitrite- N – 2.39 mg/L, this is well below the EPA / PADEP drinking water limit of 10mg N/L for nitrate-N. (OK)- Recommend testing for nitrite-N.   Total nitrogen- 2.61 mg/L.

diethyl-phthalate – 0.000029 mg/L , the EPA/PADEP drinking water limit is 0.006 mg/L.  The reported value is less than the drinking water limit.   (OK)

The data in the Citizens Groundwater and Surfacewater database suggests that up to 8 % of private wells may have a level of phthalates that exceed the drinking water limit.

“It is commonly used to make plastics more flexible. Because diethyl phthalate is not a part of the chain of chemicals (polymers) which makes up the plastics, it can be released fairly easily from these products. These plastics are found in products such as toothbrushes, automobile parts, tools, toys, and food packaging. Diethyl phthalate is also used in cosmetics, insecticides, and aspirin”.http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/phs/phs.asp?id=601&tid=112

Sodium –10.0 mg/L  (D) – no specific drinking water standard drinking water standard is available, but the EPA has added it to the Candidate List to provide more analysis.  The EPA’s initial value of 20 mg/L has been clearly identified as not realistic.  When chloride (salt is sodium chloride) is present at a concentration of over 250 mg/L, the water can have an “off” taste. At 400+ mg/L chloride, the water will taste definitely salty. (Source- Dr. Brian Redmond, Professional Geologist). (OK)

Sulfate – 18.2 mg/L (OK) – drinking water standard is <  250 mg/L – this does not suggest any specific impact.

Total Dissolved Solids  – 148 mg/L   – Total Dissolved Solids is regulated as a secondary drinking water standard by the PADEP in Pennsylvania and the action limit is 500 mg/L. 

Uranium – 0.0037 mg/L (Total) – Uranium is regulated as a primary drinking water standard by the EPA and PADEP in Pennsylvania and the action limit is 0.030 mg/L.  (OK)

Zinc  – 0.0069 mg/L (Total) – Zinc is regulated as a secondary drinking water standard by the PADEP in Pennsylvania and the action limit is 5.0 mg/L.  (OK)

Ethylene glycol –  the reported value is < 10 mg/L – there is no standard, but the EPA has a guidance limit of < 7 mg/L.  Other states have lower and higher standards:

New Jersey 0.300 mg/L (300 ppb)

Arizona 5.5 mg/L (5500 ppb)

New Hampshire 7.0 mg/L (7000 ppb)

Florida, Massachusetts, and Minnesota14.0 mg/L (14,000 ppb)

Minnesota

At a minimum, I would recommend retesting for ethylene glycol other other glycol compounds using a method that is more sensitive or conducting some type of standard additions analysis.

No major problems

1. No major problem, but recommend testing for nitrite-N.  The drinking water standard for nitrite-N is 1 mg/L.  Since the concentration for total nitrate and nitrite is over 2 mg/L, it is possible that the level of nitrite-N is over 1 mg/L.

2. Retesting for glycols using a more sensitive technique is recommended.

3. The detection of the plasticizer is not atypical or a red flag for the region.  The data in the Citizens Groundwater and Surfacewater database suggests that up to 8 % of private wells may have a level of phthalates that exceed the drinking water limit.  Support the citizen groundwater surfacewater database - its Free !

Document can not be copied in whole or part without the expressed written permission of Mr. Brian Oram, B.F. Environmental Consultants Inc. http://www.bfenvironmental.com

Do you want to make a positive change in PA - that will cost you NO Money?
Help Support the Citizens Groundwater and Surfacewater Database and Submit Your Baseline Data !

 Free Information on Drinking Water Quality - http://www.water-research.net

Support the Water-Research Center.

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Why a regional water quality database is needed in PA ?

Why is a regional water quality database needed?
What is the importance of coupling the citizen monitoring efforts?

For me this is the first time that citizens have conducted or obtained water quality data related to groundwater and surfacewater that has been collected in a manner that insures the reliability of the data and provides a comprehensive evaluation of the inorganic, organic, and bacterial quality of the water. 

This type of data has never existed at this scale in Pennsylvania.  The PADEP has only data for community water supply or regulated systems, but private wells are not regulated by the Safe Drinking Water Act.  The information that is in the hands of the individual citizen could be compiled into a resource that will benefit the local community, watershed, township, county, and state. 

The database is confidential - no name, address, phone, number, or direct locational information is contained with in the database.  The raw database does not an approximate location and zip code for the site, but the raw data will never be published.

Please consider supporting this Community Effort.   To support this effort, please do the following:

1. Complete an Information Form and submit it along with your data to brian.oram@wilkes.edu or bfenviro@ptd.net.

2. Please send a copy of the data, chain-of-custody sheet, and any documentation related to the sampling.

3. If this is confusing, please consider hosting a community meeting.  We would love to attend to speak about this effort and make it easier for citizens to submit their data.

To thank you for your support, we will do the following:

1. Review your data and provide you suggested action items - to help explain and if necessary provide guidance on fixing the problem.  This is one and one assistance - not an online computer software tool.  This is done for free by Mr. Brian Oram, PG at B.F. Environmental Consultants Inc.

2. Free Booklet from written by Mr. Brian Oram and two other professional geologists.
3. Happy to attend a community meeting to explain regional data.

4. Online list of suggested water quality parameters.  This listing is slightly different and not as up-to-date as the recommend parameter list by Mr. Brian Oram.

Thanks for your time

Please support the Citizens Groundwater and Surfacewater Database in PA

Marcellus Shale Baseline Water Testing Independent Water Testing Regional Database Outreach Wyoming and Susquehanna County Lake Carey

Marcellus Shale Baseline Water Testing Regional Database Outreach Wyoming and Susquehanna County PA at Lake Carey - Independent Water Testing


Mr. Brian Oram a professional geologist participated in a open meeting to discuss issues of Marcellus Shale Development, Baseline Water Testing, and the Development of a Regional Citizens Database at Lake Carey in Tunkhannock Pennsylvania.

PRLog (Press Release) – Sep 14, 2010 – Mr. Brian Oram a professional geologist participated in a open meeting to discuss issues of Marcellus Shale Development, Baseline Water Testing, and the Development of a Regional Citizens Database at Lake Carey in Tunkhannock Pennsylvania on Sunday - September 12, 2010. During the presenation another professional Geologist, Mr. George Turner, was present to discuss environmental issues related to natural gas development.
Both speakers provide technical information related to natural gas development, permitting, drilling, the fracturing process, regional water quality, and the key components to baseline water testing. In addition, Mr. Brian Oram, PG, provide information on the free publication available from Wilkes University, the Development of a Citizen-based regional water quality database, discussed the programs that are part of the Homeowner Outreach Program at Wilkes University and issues related to lake and watershed management.

The event was held at Lake Carey.
For more information, please visit the following:
http://www.bfenvironmental.com/

Citizen Database and Free Publication
http://www.wilkes.edu/water

Energy company sued for polluting groundwater, private wells Susquehanna County Pennsylvania

"LENOX TOWNSHIP, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Parker Waichman Alonso LLP announces that they have filed a lawsuit against Southwest Energy Production Company and its parent, Southwestern Energy Company, both of Houston Texas, on behalf of 13 families in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. The Plaintiffs allege that their water wells have been contaminated due to gas drilling operations being conducted by Southwest Energy Production Company. The lawsuit was filed in the Court of Common Pleas of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania Civil Division (Civil Action No: 2010-1882CP). In addition to Parker Waichman Alonso LLP, Plaintiffs are being represented by The Law Office of Michael Gleeson; Neblett, Beard & Arsenault; and the Becnel Law Firm, LLC.


According to the complaint, Southwest Energy Production Company is the owner and operator of the Price #1 Well in Lenox Township where the Plaintiffs live and reside. In April 2008, Southwest Energy began utilizing hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling to extract natural gas from the Price #1 Well. Hydraulic fracturing requires the discharge of enormous volumes of hydraulic fracturing fluids otherwise known as “fracking fluid” or “drilling mud” into the ground under extreme pressure in order to dislodge and discharge the gas contained under the ground.
The lawsuit alleges that the composition of fracking fluid includes hazardous chemicals that are carcinogenic and toxic. Diesel fuel and lubricating materials, also consisting of hazardous chemicals, are also utilized during drilling and well operations. The Plaintiffs allege that Southwest Energy Production Company was negligent in the drilling, construction and operation of the Price #1 Well and allowed pollutants, including fracking fluid, to be discharged into the ground or into the waters near Plaintiffs’ homes and water wells.
The lawsuit alleges that, among other things, Plaintiffs' water wells have been contaminated, and that they have been and continue to be exposed to hazardous chemicals, including barium, manganese and strontium. As a result, Plaintiffs have had to pay for alternative sources of water. The lawsuit further alleges that the value of the Plaintiffs' property has diminished, and they have lost the use and enjoyment of their property, and the quality of life they otherwise enjoyed.
At least one of the Plaintiffs is alleged to have become physically ill, and exhibits neurological symptoms consistent with toxic exposure to heavy metals. The other Plaintiffs live in constant fear of future physical illness, particularly with respect to the health of their minor children and grandchildren, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit seeks a preliminary and permanent injunction barring Southwest Energy Partners from engaging in the acts cited by the complaint, as well as abatement of the nuisances, unlawful conduct, violations and damages created by those acts. It also seeks, among other things, compensatory damages, punitive damages, and the cost of future health monitoring.  "

Source:
http://www.environmental-expert.com/resultEachPressRelease.aspx?codi=194949&lr=1&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+environmental-expert%2Fnews+%28Environmental+Expert+Latest+News+%26+Press+Releases%29

Natural Gas Drilling Impacts Private Wells - Also Shows Weakness in Private Well Construction Standards

Back in March 2009, The Times Tribune reported that a natural gas drilling company - i.e., Cabot Oil & Gas Corp - caused methane contamination of a private well in Susquehanna County - Dimock Township.

The article quoted and referenced a PADEP letter dated February 27, 2009 that included that Cabot violated two state laws.

The follow up analysis showed that the methane was coming from a shallow methane producing formation at a depth of 1500 feet and not the Marcellus Shale.

This finding supports to the need to conduct background water quality monitoring of private wells, to install more than one freshwater casing, and to establish construction standards for private wells.

The public needs to take action to protect groundwater and surfacewater quality. This can be done by getting informed and educated, helping to establish private well construction standards, and conducting background water quality monitoring.

For information on training opportunities or background testing, please visit
http://www.bfenvironmental.com


To read the full article - go to
http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/2216875//