On July 2, 2015, West
Virginia Department of Environmental Protection made publicly available a report
analyzing the impacts of untreated natural gas drilling waste on groundwater or
surface water in six West Virginia landfills. The report is entitled
“Examination of leachate, drill cuttings and related environmental, economic
and technical aspects associated with solid waste facilities in West Virginia.”
In accordance with the amended
Solid Waste Management Act, the report was submitted to the
West Virginia Joint Legislative Oversight Commission on Water Resources and the
Legislature’s Joint Committee on Government and Finance, on July 1.
Part of the report is
aimed at assessing the potential negative impacts on waters associated with the
collection, treatment, and disposal of drilling waste from the six landfills.
The researchers found that it is “unlikely” that those drilling waste could
enter into contact with sources of drinking water or surface water prior to
treatment. In a case where it does, however, the authors stated that the
drinking water standards could be exceeded and that wildlife could be damaged.
Further information is
available at: http://www.dep.wv.gov/news/Pages/DEP-Completes-Study-of-Impact-of-Drill-Waste-From-Natural-Gas-Well-Sites-Disposed-of-in-Landfills.aspx
Written by Chloe Marie - Research Fellow
07/09/2015
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