Can hydraulic fracturing impact the quality of groundwater or surface water?
Conducted properly, hydraulic fracturing (or “fracking”) has little possibility of contaminating water supplies. Properly constructed wells prevent drilling fluids, hydraulic fracturing fluids, deep saline formation waters, or oil and gas from entering aquifers. Carefully constructed and operated well sites have the ability to contain potential spills and minimize runoff into surface waters.
As with any industrial process, accidents can occur. In particular, improperly constructed wells can allow fluids to migrate up from deep formations and into shallow aquifers, and improperly contained surface spills can potentially contaminate surface water.
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Hydraulic Fracturing Drill Site
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Withdrawing Water for Hydraulic Fracturing
Equipment set up to pump water from a lake to an impoundment for hydraulic fracturing in the Fayetteville Shale of Arkansas.
Hydraulic Fracturing Sand
Fine-grained silica sand is mixed with chemicals and water before being pumped into rock formations to prevent the newly created artificial fractures from closing after hydraulic fracturing is completed.
Scientist Collecting Water Samples at a Wastewater Disposal Facility
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Generalized image showing the key points in hydraulic fracturing
Generalized image showing the key points in hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas development where water is part of the process.
Percentage of Hydraulic Fracturing Use
This map shows the average water use in hydraulic fracturing per oil and gas well in watersheds across the United States.