Natural gas industry says it’s not responsible for Monongahela River pollution
The Marcellus Shale Committee said natural gas development is not a significant contributor to increased levels of total dissolved solids (TDS) in the Monongahela River.
Test results from water drawn in early August showed microscopic TDS amounts exceeded acceptable levels for drinking water established by federal and state authorities.
The US Environmental Protection Agency is talking with Pennsylvania and West Virginia environmental officials to determine the scope of the problem throughout the watershed and find solutions, said the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
The Marcellus Shale Committee noted the natural gas industry complies with Pennsylvania state standards established in October 2008 regarding the handling of the gas industry’s water discharges.
“The natural gas industry almost entirely eliminated water sent to treatment plants along the Monongahela River, equal to a rate of 1% of the total effluent discharge at each permitted facility,” the committee said.
Nearly all water used in gas development in western Pennsylvania is recycled, said the committee, which is jointly sponsored by the Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Association and the Independent Oil and Gas Association of Pennsylvania.
Test results from water drawn in early August showed microscopic TDS amounts exceeded acceptable levels for drinking water established by federal and state authorities.
The US Environmental Protection Agency is talking with Pennsylvania and West Virginia environmental officials to determine the scope of the problem throughout the watershed and find solutions, said the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
The Marcellus Shale Committee noted the natural gas industry complies with Pennsylvania state standards established in October 2008 regarding the handling of the gas industry’s water discharges.
“The natural gas industry almost entirely eliminated water sent to treatment plants along the Monongahela River, equal to a rate of 1% of the total effluent discharge at each permitted facility,” the committee said.
Nearly all water used in gas development in western Pennsylvania is recycled, said the committee, which is jointly sponsored by the Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Association and the Independent Oil and Gas Association of Pennsylvania.
Labels: Clean Water Act, Independent Oil and Gas Association of Pennsylvania, Marcellus Shale Committee, Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Association, pollution, wastewater
posted by Paula Dittrick, OGJ Senior Staff Writer at
3:08 PM
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