Base Line Water Testing...How far in advance?
All-
We are looking at a series of tests for our water systems...3 drilled wells, large capacity spring (artesion???) and 4 acre pond. We have talked with a reputable testing lab and have done some very preliminary testing. We are making plans for more extensive testing...but...a friend was recently told by the extension service to not do any testing unless drilling was going to take place within 2 years of test dates. That the courts would throw this baseline out as the gas company could claim that the problem occured betwen the time of the test and the drilling.
Does anyone know what the "time statue" for testng should might be?
Our lease is only 1 year old. The closest well is approx. 2.5 miles from us as the crow flies and the closest seismic testing has been completed about 2 miles from us.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by N Bohl on
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Are you in PA? My family has had to address this but I have not been happy with the answers we have gotten in PA. You probably know this already but make sure that the tests you have done are the right ones done by the right people/ the right chain of command and so on. Just as a thought you should keep an eye out for permits in your twp/ county so that if something starts up you will still have time to do your own testing. We do this online through DEP and it has helped paint a picture of what is coming in the future months. My personal opinion is that if money was not an object you would have testing done at least once a year now no matter what. That way if there was a problem you would have tests to show for at least every year and that closes the gap. The issue is really can you spend the money to test every year. So if you started now and there would be no close OG activity for 4 years I think it would be better but only if you did it every year. Our main concern is one spring and no wells, plus the woods. So if you had many tests to do I could see how it would be harder. If you can only afford to do it once I would wait until a permit request went through for a well that was within one mile give or take. If you thought seismic was going to be done using blasting close by or on your land that may be an issue as well but as far as I can tell you won't have much of a heads up on that. If you come to any conclusions please post it here because I keep an eye out for new thoughts on this issue.
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Permalink Reply by Brian Oram, PG on
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There are a lot of opinions with little fact. From my experience, baseline testing for regulated water systems typically get redone in a 3 to 5 year cycle. Regarding testing - If the drilling is this far away, the primary concern may be surface spills and accidents. If you are near a major road- I would consider at least getting the sources tested that may be the general vicinity of this road. Because the bedrock may dip to the northwest and if bedrock is shallow, it may be advisable to test wells that may appear to be upgradient of the road.
Also - I would hope that the person conducting the testing or providing the recommendations is giving you some options. Maybe you can do just a basic screening test for Now. The only downside is that you may pay for the cost of field sampling more than once.
Basic screen parameters: chloride, sodium, bromide, barium, methane/ethane, totals suspended solids, pH, total dissolved solids - this would be very basic - For a well.
Good Luck
Brian
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Permalink Reply by Mike Kaschak on
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I went to one of the water testing classes given by Penn State and local county extension. They strongly
suggest to wait until you are notified there will be drilling in your area. Most Gasco's nowadays
notify anyone within a mile of proposed well. They might even test the water for you, if they offer to
test do not refuse. Also ask for a copy, it should be free. It doesn't hurt to have your water tested every
2 years for your own referance. It may help alittle if a tracking record is needed and one never knows what
a neighbor is dumping on their property. Also only use approved water testing facilities.
Mike
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Permalink Reply by John Romano on -
To All,
My firm is engaged as an independent laboratory (www.mountainresearch.com) conducting baseline water sampling and testing for several of the Gasco's and private residential clients. Most of the companies are proactive and are testing wells in a 1,000 to 2,500 foot radius of a proposed well-head. I agree with Mike....you should wait until a Gasco contacts you. Most of the time you will receive a certified letter asking if your wells/springs/pond may or may not be tested. Most people accept the testing. They must engage a 3rd party independent laboratory certified by PADEP to conduct sampling and laboratory testing. There is a strict protocol we follow to document the water test, location, site conditions, photos, GPS source, etc that is supplied back to the Gasco and copy to resident. Just because you have a lease agreement does not mean that they plan drilling on your property. It is best to wait until you are contacted because the Gasco is serious about drilling and potentially impacting your water source. I invite any questions you may have. John @ Mountain 814-949-2034 ext 202.
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Permalink Reply by N Bohl on
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This was the exact advice I was given by about three different professional sources. My own non-professional thinking is that I would rather have the same tests for as many years as possible if I had to deal with a legal issue. I wish we had them going 5+ years back actually instead of three. The only problem with this is the cost. If cost was less of an issue I can't think of a reason not to do it at least once a year starting as soon as possible. The only reason I see being advised to wait is because of the cost. Why not do it every year now on your own in the manner suggested? The point of doing it before work is done near you is to be able to say this was the condition/ quality/ content then - and here it is now. I would rather be able to say here it is at this point, here it is a year later, a year later, a year later and so on.
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If you are capable - I would suggest getting some testing done now. There is always a chance for spills, etc. Plus we have areas with some groundwater issues Now - I just recently found a number of wells with elevated levels for a number of drinking water parameters - No drilling in the area at all.
Brian - Professional geologist
No matter what you do - please consider releasing the data to the Wilkes University Citizen Database
http://www.wilkes.edu/water
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