Tests show Texas well water polluted by fracking, despite EPA assurances

[n2doc]

By John Upton


Environmentalists and residents of Parker County, Texas, were dismayed last year when the EPA dropped an investigation into complaints that fracking by Range Resources was contaminating local water supplies with methane.

As part of a legal settlement that got the EPA off its back, the company agreed to test well water in the city of Weatherford, where the complaints were centered. Sure enough, Range’s test results found minimal levels of methane in the water.

“According to the EPA, the sampling that Range Resources has completed indicates no widespread methane contamination of concern in the wells that were sampled in Parker County,” the agency’s inspector general wrote last month in a report requested by lawmakers.

But here comes the report’s kicker: “However, the EPA lacks quality assurance information for the Range Resources’ sampling program, and questions remain about the contamination.” In the report, the inspector general called on the EPA to evaluate the testing results being provided by Range Resources and to work with the state to “ensure appropriate action is taken” to address any methane and benzene pollution.


more

http://grist.org/news/tests-show-texas-well-water-polluted-by-fracking-despite-epa-assurances/

The republican plan to destroy the EPA as an effective agency is pretty much complete.

[democratisphere]

1. Range Resources should not be allowed to be their own watch dog.

The fallout from fracking will become more apparent AFTER it is too late to do anything about it. Humans continue their own short sighted self destruction.

[walkingman]

2. I hate to tell ya

but welcome to 21st century America. Profit is the name of the game. If there is a way to make a buck on anything....it is good.

From prisons, to healthcare, to education there is no limit. At some point when the greedy corporations have destroyed our water, our environment, our planet then maybe people will wake up and stop supporting the political heroes that are controlled by corporate America. I fear it will get worse before becoming better.

As a Texan I can tell you for sure that the EPA is considered nothing but a thorn in the side of "bidness" here in Texas and most Texans are in lock step - especially the oil and gas industry. Thank god you can't sell grandma for a $1

Peace

[countryjake]

3. K&R!