EPA Issues an Imminent and Substantial Endangerment Order to Protect Drinking Water in Southern Parker County
Agency orders Range Natural Gas Company to stop the contamination of Methane and Other Contaminants into drinking water near multiple residences
(DALLAS – December 7, 2010) Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has ordered a natural gas company in Forth Worth, Texas, to take immediate action to protect homeowners living near one of its drilling operations who have complained about flammable and bubbling drinking water coming out of their tap. EPA testing has confirmed that extremely high levels of methane in their water pose an imminent and substantial risk of explosion or fire. EPA has also found other contaminants including benzene, which can cause cancer, in their drinking water.
EPA has determined that natural gas drilling near the homes by Range Resources in Parker County, Texas, has caused or contributed to the contamination of at least two residential drinking water wells. Therefore, today, EPA has ordered the company to step in immediately to stop the contamination, provide drinking water and provide methane gas monitors to the homeowners. EPA has issued an imminent and substantial endangerment order under Section 1431 of the Safe Drinking Water Act. Parker County is located west of Fort Worth, Texas.
In late August, EPA received a citizen’s complaint regarding concerns with a private drinking water well. During the inspector’s follow-up inquiry, EPA learned that the homeowner had previously complained to the Texas Railroad Commission as well as the company, but their concerns were not adequately addressed by the State or the company. EPA then conducted an on-site inspection of the private drinking water well with the homeowner and a neighboring residence, and returned to collect both water and gas samples. These samples were sent to an EPA certified laboratory for analysis. The data was received in late November 2010 and was carefully reviewed by EPA scientists. The EPA scientists have conducted isotopic fingerprint analysis and concluded the source of the drinking water well contamination to closely match that from Range Resources’ natural gas production well.
EPA has asked the company to conduct a full scale investigation. EPA is requiring Range Resources under this order to:
· Immediately deliver potable water to the two residences;
· Immediately sample soil gas around the residences;
· Immediately sample all nearby drinking water wells to determine the extent of aquifer contamination;
· provide methane gas monitors to alert homeowners of dangerous conditions in their houses;
· develop a plan to remediate areas of the aquifer that have been contaminated; and
· to investigate the structural integrity of its nearby natural gas well to determine if it is the source of contamination.
If we do not seek a suitable solution to the fracking process our heath could be in danger for years to come. The Oil and Gas companies need to step up to the plate and take some action.