Even before Coronavirus and the oil price collapse, shale drilling was slowing down, and the industry as a whole was entering a dry season. But why? After ten years of seemingly successful shale drilling and achieving energy independence, why are oil and gas companies struggling?  This is a brief summary of the analysis by Blue Mesa Minerals.…

Well Water Basics for the Homeowner Carbon County Pennsylvania

Wednesday, July 16, 6:00 pm

Environmental Consultant and hydrogeologist Brian Oram presents this free program for homeowners with private well and/or septic systems at part of the Community Outreach Efforts of the Keystone Clean Water Team. Brian explains smart well maintenance, and takes the mystery out of your water test results.

The program…

Author: John Krohn, Energy In Depth

The Scranton Times Tribune published an investigative article with the inflammatory headline “Drilling Killing Water.”  Of course, a review of the article itself and the data underlying it show a much different set of circumstances than the Times-Tribune headline would lead you to believe.

Over the weekend the Scranton Times-Tribune ran…

PRESS RELEASE

New Well Owners Booklet Answers Many Questions

When should you test your water? And what should you test it for?…

I go to a lot of meetings and the citizens are always concerned about how the Marcellus Drilling might impact the groundwater aquifer, but we all seem to forget about these flooding events that most likely have a more cummulative negative impact on the environment and our health.  If your private well has been inudated  with water and possibly submerged, you will need to take the following action:

1. Make sure the power is off the the well and check the electrical…

New Online Guide for Private Well Owners in PA

Nearly a million households in Pennsylvania rely on private water supplies.In Pennsylvania, protection and maintenance of a private well is largely the responsibility of homeowners. Private wells are typically safe, dependable sources of water if sited wisely and constructed properly. Information is provided here to have your private water supply built correctly and protected adequately.  There…

B.F. Environmental Consultants Inc. has been involved with the siting and design of water, wastewater, and stormwater management systems for over 20 years. In addition, the company has been active in training water and wastewater operators, well drillers, laboratory technicians, and assisting in the siting and evaluation of solid waste management systems. 

This series of training programs provides…

The Wilkes University Center for Environmental Quality, through its Homeowner Outreach Program, has been conducting water quality analysis and education for the past 20 years. Even though our groundwater resources are one of our most important assets, there is limited data on the quality and quantity of regional groundwater. Wilkes University is establishing a regional water quality database and we are requesting your participation by allowing us to add the data from your certified…

The professional geologists at B.F. Environmental Consultants Inc. is working with the Harveys Lake Environmental Council and Kirby Health Center to offer affordable baseline testing to the residents of Harveys Lake, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. The professional geologist at B.F. Environmental Consultants Inc. provided specific recommendations on baseline water quality testing that was specific to the background geology, land-use, and regional water quality for the Harveys…

Wilkes University’s Center for Environmental Quality is establishing a water quality database in response to natural gas drilling our region. The database will provide information about the current state of groundwater and surface water quality and serve as a basis for monitoring impacts related to Marcellus gas drilling activity. The database initiative is the first of its kind in northeast Pennsylvania and targets private wells in Luzerne and Columbia…

Pike County - Radon in Water Higher than Anticipated

Pike two-year water study

By TOM KANE

MILFORD, PA — A two-year study of the Pike County watersheds and ground water resources reveals ground water resources of good quality and good quantity. The only negative concern centered on the amount of radioactive radon that is exceeding normal levels in 75 percent of the testing wells. Radon is the second-leading cause of cancer in the nation.

The survey, which was…

Because of the recent interest in the Marcellus Shale in PA, there has been a significant increase in drilling of deep natural gas production wells. One of the primary concerns or issues is Pennsylvania, would be the potential for these wells to impact surrounding freshwater wells. Since most of these freshwater wells are wells that are classified as private or unregulated wells and these wells are typically constructed with no minimal construction standard, a primary concern for developing…

Getting Your Water Tested – Why?

In Pennsylvania, there are no statewide regulations that truly guarantee that a private well is properly constructed and that the water from the well is potable, i.e., drinkable. In Pennsylvania and other states, a private well is not defined as a public water supply system and not regulated by the PADEP or EPA. There are some counties in Pennsylvania that do provide some regulatory oversight with respect to the siting, construction, and…

DEP revising oil and gas well regs

This is a reposting of an article- I think it is critical for citizens, professionals, and organizations to review and comment.



Public comment sought by March 2

By SANDY LONG



PENNSYLVANIA — In efforts to provide better protection to Pennsylvania’s water resources, the state’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is revising its existing rules for the construction of oil and gas wells and soliciting comments on the…

This is a reposting of an article writtent by Sharon Corderman - but I get this question alot.



Rewards and Risks of the Marcellus

Part I in a series

By Sharon Corderman

Published: Wednesday, February 17, 2010 2:46 PM CST



Claims have been made that the potential exists for some level of radioactive material to be in the wastewater and drill cuttings coming from the Marcellus shale. According to Peter Davies, professor of biology at Cornell University, New…