Review finds no direct link between fracturing, tainted water

By TOM FOWLER, HOUSTON CHRONICLE

Published 07:35 p.m., Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Preliminary results of a University of Texas study on hydraulic fracturing indicate the process itself does not appear to contaminate contaminating drinking water, but that fracturing sites may have a higher incidence of surface problems that can occur with any type of drilling.

Prior reports, investigations and data gathered throughout the country on claims that the process often called fracking contaminated ground water so far don't make the direct link, said Chip Groat, a UT geologist who is leading the study.

Rather, it appears that shale drilling results in more problems on the surface than drilling that doesn't involve fracking, including spills of drilling and fracking fluids, leaks from wastewater pits and other rule violations, said Groat, who is unveiling the preliminary results of the study in Fort Worth on Wednesday.

read more: http://www.chron.com/business/article/Review-finds-no-direct-link-between-fracturing-2259071.php