Water Well Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/543740
EPA Releases Report on Hydraulic Fracturing and Drinking Water The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a study on June 4 that examined hydraulic fracturing and its potential impacts on drinking water— finding no widespread impacts to either surface water or groundwater. The study notes groundwater and surface water can be impacted—calling specific attention to potential contami- nation in drinking water wells—but in most cases, when done correctly, impacts are not seen. The study examined various stages of the water cycle throughout the hydraulic fracturing process and identifies the mechanisms by which contamination could occur. Mechanisms cited by the report include spills at the surface, improper treatment and discharge of wastewater, and migration of liquids and gases below the surface. Many supporters of hydraulic fractur- ing viewed the draft report as a victory at the expense of the grassroots environ- mental movement. However, the report does dispute claims that drinking water has never been contaminated. The study calls attention to the lack of pre- and post-hydraulic fracturing data—which could account for a lack of cases of contamination. Much of the study falls in line with NGWA's position on hydraulic fractur- ing, adopted in 2011, which notes as long as best practices are followed, risks to groundwater are limited. EPA is not planning to release addi- tional policy recommendations to states as a result of the report, but views the report as a resource for states and local governments to use. The EPA will be accepting comments on the draft report. Texas Ag Official Announces Creation of Office of Water Morning Ag Clips reports Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced on June 25 the creation of the Office of Water within the Texas Department of Agriculture to address critical water issues across the state. Since taking office, Miller has made water a top priority at the department because of its importance to the agricul- ture industry and the Texas economy as a whole. "Water is necessary to continue to produce food, fiber, and jobs," Miller says. "Despite being blessed with rain, our water issues have not gone away. We have been working from day one with stakeholders across the state to find solutions and plan for the future. Agri- culture is the largest consumer of water. It only makes sense that we have a seat at the table when we are talking about water policy, because if you don't have a seat, then you're probably on the menu." Consumer Confidence Takes Deepest Plunge in More Than Two Years B loomberg News reports consumer confidence unexpectedly fell in May by its largest amount in more than two years as Americans' views on the econ- omy dimmed. The University of Michigan prelimi- nary index of sentiment dropped to 88.6 in May from 95.9 in April. The 7.3- point decrease was the largest since De- cember 2012. The outcome was lower than the lowest estimate of 68 econo- mists surveyed by Bloomberg News. News that the world's largest econ- omy stalled last quarter shook Ameri- cans' outlook, while the uptick in fuel costs since early March also contributed to the gloomier perceptions. The median projection in the Bloomberg survey of economists called for an unchanged reading at 95.9. Esti- mates ranged from 91.4 to 97.5. The gauge averaged 88.8 for the five years leading up to the last recession that started in December 2007. The average for 2014 was 84.1. The sentiment survey's current con- ditions index, which takes stock of Americans' view of their personal finances, fell to 99.8 from the prior month's 107. The measure of expectations six months from now decreased to 81.5 from 88.8. Americans expect the inflation rate in the next year will be 2.9%, compared with 2.6% in the April survey. Over the next five to 10 years, they expect a 2.8% inflation rate, compared with 2.6% in the previous month. NEWS from page 15 waterwelljournal.com PROBES WINCHES LOGGERS SOFTW ARE OUTSTANDING IN OUR FIELD mount sopris instruments is a leading manufacturer of slimline borehole geophysical logging systems for downhole groundwater applications. Learn more at mountsopris.com or call 303-279-3211 16 August 2015 WWJ