Energy
Californian drought poises state to close 11 fracking sites over polluted water fears

Published
5 years agoon

The state of California is poised to shut down 11 oil and gas waste injection sites as fears rise concerning the injection of polluted waste water into clean drinking water, which is becoming scarcer.
An investigation, led by the state’s Division of Oil and Gas and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR), has led to the issuing of emergency cease and desist orders. The orders were given to the seven energy companies that operate the sites, as investigators examine water samples to see if clean drinking water has been affected.
The state of California is currently facing a drought crisis, with scientists warning that 80% of the state is now classified as in “extreme drought”. Non-essential water usage laws are now in effect, with particular impacts on the agricultural sector, where farmers are now being forced to obtain water from underground aquifers.
Fears that fracking companies, avoiding legislature set out by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), are pumping waste water into protected underground aquifers has sparked the initial investigation – as they also supply the state’s drinking water.
Under state law, most of these underground aquifers, which are located deep underground, were deliberately set aside for fracking companies to use and conclusively pollute. However, seven of these aquifers were still under protection from the law – all of which are now being investigated.
Talking to the Bakersfield Californian, which originally reported the story, Jason Marshall, chief deputy director of DOGGR’s parent agency, the state Department of Conservation, said, “We need to make sure that the water that they’re going after, if it’s potable now, let’s make sure that it stays that way and we’re not injecting produced water.”
Critics also argue that rules set up to protect the underground aquifers in 1981 were deliberately ambiguous – boundaries often defined by hand drawn maps, making it fairly susceptible to future abuse.
Talking to ProPublica, Steve Bohlen, the state oil and gas supervisor to California, said, “We do not have any direct evidence any drinking water has been affected”, reiterating that his office was acting “out of an abundance of caution.”
The state has had to continuously review the impact of fracking on environmental and health-related grounds due to a law passed last year. Because of improving technology and decreases to the cost of deep ground drilling, legislation that was passed in the 80’s is no longer relevant in protecting water supplies now easily available to fracking companies.
According to state officials, 17 rural communities in the state could run out of water within 60 to 120 days as the drought intensifies – raising serious questions over oil and gas companies retaining these privileges.
Photo source: Russell Johnson via Flickr
Further Reading:
80% of California in ‘extreme drought’, scientists warn
17 Californian communities could run out of water after drought
California faces the worst drought on record while ‘exporting water’ to China
Fracking could increase likelihood of major earthquakes, say scientists
California faces the worst drought on record while ‘exporting water’ to China
You may like
-
Ridiculously Easy Ways To Slash Bottled Water Waste
-
How Does Hard Water Impact The Environment?
-
Oil And Gas Rigs Leak More Greenhouse Gas Than Previously Thought
-
What To Know About The Role of Ecology In Protecting The Planet
-
10 Keys For Increasing Availability of Clean Water
-
Here’s Why Recycling Water Is A Grave Priority In 2019

Truth About The Shocking Environmental Impact Of Bitcoin Mining

Why Eco-Friendly Homeowners Should Make Smart Thermostat Upgrades

6 Awesome Reasons Eco-Friendly Consumers Use Smart Thermostats

How To Stay Eco-Friendly On Instagram While Traveling

Help Save The Planet With The Best Energy Efficient HVAC Systems

5 Simple Steps To Build Sustainable Shipping Containers

Valve Actuators: Underappreciated Sustainable Living Tools For 2020

Green Energy Safety Risks That People Don’t Know About

Ridiculously Easy Ways To Slash Bottled Water Waste

Navigating The Convoluted Land Leasing Process For Solar Projects

Truth About The Shocking Environmental Impact Of Bitcoin Mining

Help Save The Planet With The Best Energy Efficient HVAC Systems

Why Eco-Friendly Homeowners Should Make Smart Thermostat Upgrades

5 Simple Steps To Build Sustainable Shipping Containers

Valve Actuators: Underappreciated Sustainable Living Tools For 2020

Green Energy Safety Risks That People Don’t Know About

6 Awesome Reasons Eco-Friendly Consumers Use Smart Thermostats

How To Stay Eco-Friendly On Instagram While Traveling
Trending
- Environment4 days ago
Truth About The Shocking Environmental Impact Of Bitcoin Mining
- Energy6 days ago
Help Save The Planet With The Best Energy Efficient HVAC Systems
- Economy4 days ago
Why Eco-Friendly Homeowners Should Make Smart Thermostat Upgrades
- Sustainability6 days ago
5 Simple Steps To Build Sustainable Shipping Containers