Water

Learn about the impacts of the oil and gas industry on water resources through FracTracker articles, maps, and imagery.

Water

Unconventional oil and gas development requires extraordinary amounts of water during the extraction process. In 2019, fracking operators used an average of 14 million gallons of water per well, with the maximum amount reaching 39 million gallons for a single well. After being pumped underground to “frack” oil and gas wells, water is called “flowback,” and includes naturally occurring underground brine water — which contains dangerous levels of radiation, heavy metals, and other contaminants — mixed with the fracking chemical-laden fresh water that has been pumped into the well. The chemicals used in the fracking process are known carcinogens, while others remain entirely secret, even to the personnel in the field who are employed to use the additives. 

Flowback is disposed of by injection into underground wells, in water treatment plants, or in open air pits. Each of these disposal methods comes with enormous risks, such as contamination of drinking water sources, fresh water contamination, inducing seismic activity in the case of underground injection, human exposure to radioactivity, and increased traffic needed to transport produced water. Sometimes produced water is treated to remove some of the fracking chemicals and reused in the fracking process, but this accounts for only a portion of fracking water given that fresh water is cheaper to procure.

Shockingly, some states allow for fracking wastewater to be treated and used for agricultural purposes, for road spreading, or for commercial sale in products such as pool salts, increasing exposure pathways to toxic chemicals.

Explore these issues in depth in the FracTracker articles and maps below.

FracTracker Water Articles

Matt Kelso, FracTracker Alliance, 2023

Digital Atlas: Exploring Nature and Industry in the Raccoon Creek Watershed

Digital atlas of Pennsylvania's Raccoon Creek unveils a comprehensive exploration of the watershed, emphasizing its ecological richness, recreational offerings, and the multifaceted impacts of industrial activities.

Pennsylvania Watersheds at Risk: Water Supply Decline

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Watersheds in Pennsylvania are at risk for water supply issues in the coming years as a result of fracking activities that are threatening the quality and quantity of fresh water.

Pennsylvania Watersheds at Risk: Ecological Degradation

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State designated waters in Pennsylvania are protected from pollution, but not from oil and gas related water withdrawals. This analysis shows watersheds in the state are at risk for ecological degradation due to fracking.

Pennsylvania Watersheds at Risk: Drought and Fracking

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In Pennsylvania, fresh water used in the fracking process is typically drawn from surface water sources such as streams and rivers. This analysis shows the amount of water used for fracking in the state is increasing every year.

The Evolution of Environmental Regulation: A Case Study of Sackett v. EPA

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The SCOTUS decision in Sackett v. EPA has significant implications for wetland protection and the future trajectory of environmental regulation in the United States.

Visualizing Pollution: Corpus Christi Data Dashboard

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The Corpus Christi Data Dashboard is a comprehensive map viewer that visualizes air and water quality data in Corpus Christi, Texas, utilizing FLIR imagery videos, air and water pollution monitor data, and facility locations.
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