Pa. needs state standards for natural gas wells
www.pottsmerc.com/article/20120119/OPINION01/120119610/-1/opinion/pa-needs-state-standards-for-natural-gas-wells-&pager=full_story
Opinion: Posted: 01/19/12
The Pennsylvania natural gas frenzy began years ago, but still the state remains one of two in the nation with no statewide standards for private water well construction.
According to the state Department of Environmental protection, 3 million Pennsylvanians rely on water from 1 million wells. Some 13,000 to 15,000 new wells are drilled every year.
Furthermore, researchers have shown that 40 percent of 700 wells sampled since 2006 were
compromised in terms of safe drinking water standards, according to Capitolwire.com.
The most frequent health-affecting pollutant, Coliform bacteria, showed up in one-third of the tested wells. E.coli bacteria, which originates from either human or animal waste, was found in 14 percent of the wells tested.
That’s not much of a surprise in a state known for its intensive animal farming operations. But it argues powerfully for some kind of construction standard. Researchers said poor well construction was a factor.Right now all one has to do to dig a well is sign a form and obtain a drilling rig.
That’s pretty astounding, even if all we had to worry about was biological waste. But wait, there’s more.
One of the recommendations made by Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission last year was establishment of construction standards on new private water wells, according to Rep. Ron Miller, R-York. Natural gas drillers, by the way, denied all responsibility for that part of the report.
In any event, Miller has sponsored legislation to authorize the Environmental Quality Board to establish statewide water well construction regulations based on National Groundwater Association standards.
The Legislature should enact that bill as soon as possible.
Once again, we have another instance of Pennsylvania public health standards struggling to catch up with intensive industrial activity, in this case by agriculture and natural gas fracking.
But, hey, better late than never, right?
Special to The Mercury, Chambersburg Public Opinion