EPA's Study of Hydraulic Fracturing and Its Potential Impact on Drinking Water Resources
At the request of Congress, EPA is conducting a study to better understand any potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water and ground water. The scope of the research includes the full lifespan of water in hydraulic fracturing, from acquisition of the water, through the mixing of chemicals and actual fracturing, to the post-fracturing stage, including the management of flowback and produced water and its ultimate treatment and disposal.
A first report on the study will be released for peer review in late 2012. Certain portions of the research will be released for peer review in 2014.
Plan to Study the Potential Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing on Drinking Water Resources (PDF) (190 pp, 2.1 MB, About PDF)
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Study Development
Spotlight
Hear Interview with the Coordinator of the HF Study (MP3) (mp3, 6.5 MB) Transcripts
Highlights
Questions and Answers about this Study
Quality Management and Quality Assurance Project Plans