Preface
Hydraulic fracturing is a technique used to increase oil and gas production from underground oil- or gas-bearing rock formations. Since the mid-2000s, the combination of hydraulic fracturing and directional drilling has become widespread, raising concerns about the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources. This concern is the focus of this report.
In 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) initiated a study of the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing activities on drinking water resources. The EPA defined the scope of its study to focus on the acquisition, use, disposal, and reuse of water used for hydraulic fracturing—what we call the hydraulic fracturing water cycle. This was done in recognition that concerns raised about potential impacts were not limited to the relatively short-term act of fracturing rock, but can include impacts related to other activities associated with hydraulic fracturing.
The EPA’s study included the development of multiple research projects using the following research approaches: the analysis of existing data, scenario and modeling evaluations, laboratory studies, toxicological assessments, and five case studies. Throughout the study, the EPA engaged with stakeholders, including industry, the states, tribal nations, academia, and others, for input on the scope, approach, and initial results. To date, the study has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed scientific products, including 13 EPA technical reports and 14 journal articles.
This report represents the capstone product of the EPA’s hydraulic fracturing drinking water study. It captures the state-of-the-science concerning drinking water impacts from activities in the hydraulic fracturing activities water cycle and integrates the results of the EPA’s study of the subject with approximately 1,200 other publications and sources of information. The goals of this report were to assess the potential for activities in the hydraulic fracturing water cycle to impact the quality or quantity of drinking water resources and to identify factors that affect the frequency or severity of those impacts.
This report is a science document and does not present or evaluate policy options or make policy recommendations. A draft of this report was reviewed by the EPA’s independent Science Advisory Board (SAB). Reflecting the complexity of the subject, the expert ad hoc panel formed by the SAB was the largest ever convened for the review of a scientific product. Combined with over 100,000 comments submitted by members of the public, SAB comments helped the EPA to refine, clarify, and better support the final conclusions presented in this report.
The release of this final assessment report marks the completion of the EPA’s hydraulic fracturing drinking water study. The study has already prompted increased dialogue among industry, the states, tribal nations, the public, and others concerning how drinking water resources can be better protected in areas where hydraulic fracturing is occurring or being considered. However, there are data gaps and uncertainties limiting our understanding of the impacts of hydraulic fracturing activities on drinking water resources. As additional data become available, and with continued dialogue among stakeholders, our understanding of the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources will improve.
Hydraulic fracturing is a technique used to increase oil and gas production from underground oil- or gas-bearing rock formations. Since the mid-2000s, the combination of hydraulic fracturing and directional drilling has become widespread, raising concerns about the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources. This concern is the focus of this report.
In 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) initiated a study of the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing activities on drinking water resources. The EPA defined the scope of its study to focus on the acquisition, use, disposal, and reuse of water used for hydraulic fracturing—what we call the hydraulic fracturing water cycle. This was done in recognition that concerns raised about potential impacts were not limited to the relatively short-term act of fracturing rock, but can include impacts related to other activities associated with hydraulic fracturing.
The EPA’s study included the development of multiple research projects using the following research approaches: the analysis of existing data, scenario and modeling evaluations, laboratory studies, toxicological assessments, and five case studies. Throughout the study, the EPA engaged with stakeholders, including industry, the states, tribal nations, academia, and others, for input on the scope, approach, and initial results. To date, the study has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed scientific products, including 13 EPA technical reports and 14 journal articles.
This report represents the capstone product of the EPA’s hydraulic fracturing drinking water study. It captures the state-of-the-science concerning drinking water impacts from activities in the hydraulic fracturing activities water cycle and integrates the results of the EPA’s study of the subject with approximately 1,200 other publications and sources of information. The goals of this report were to assess the potential for activities in the hydraulic fracturing water cycle to impact the quality or quantity of drinking water resources and to identify factors that affect the frequency or severity of those impacts.
This report is a science document and does not present or evaluate policy options or make policy recommendations. A draft of this report was reviewed by the EPA’s independent Science Advisory Board (SAB). Reflecting the complexity of the subject, the expert ad hoc panel formed by the SAB was the largest ever convened for the review of a scientific product. Combined with over 100,000 comments submitted by members of the public, SAB comments helped the EPA to refine, clarify, and better support the final conclusions presented in this report.
The release of this final assessment report marks the completion of the EPA’s hydraulic fracturing drinking water study. The study has already prompted increased dialogue among industry, the states, tribal nations, the public, and others concerning how drinking water resources can be better protected in areas where hydraulic fracturing is occurring or being considered. However, there are data gaps and uncertainties limiting our understanding of the impacts of hydraulic fracturing activities on drinking water resources. As additional data become available, and with continued dialogue among stakeholders, our understanding of the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources will improve.
