Disposal of hydraulic fracturing wastewater biggest possible contaminator

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Current wastewater disposal methods for water used in hydraulic fracturing could put nearby drinking water in the Marcellus Shale at risk, according to a study issued on Tuesday.

Hydraulic fracturing, a process where a mixture of water, sand and chemicals are pumped underground under high pressure, could be polluting nearby surface water sources through five different ways, according to a Stony Brook University study.

The study found water could be contaminated by transportation spills, well casing leaks, leaks through fractured rock, drilling site surface discharge and wastewater disposal. The greatest contamination risks came from wasterwater disposal.

“The used hydraulic fracturing fluid is transported to a wastewater treatment facility and discharged to streams,” according to the report. The researchers said those treatment facilities may not be equipped to handle the chemicals found in the used fracking wasterwater, leading to contaminated drinking water if it is released into nearby water sources, according to the report.
http://fuelfix.com/blog/2012/08/07/disposal-of-hydraulic-fracturing-wastewater-biggest-possible-contaminator/

[yellowcanine]

1. Yeah this is a big problem as is getting the water needed for the fracking in some areas.

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2. They need to start

recycling the frack salt water and quit using all the fresh water. 5 to 12 million gals per well is depleting fresh water table. And not recycling is going to end up with frack salt water in fresh water table.