Thursday, November 24, 2011

Lab Error In Center For PA Study Negates Well Water Pollution Finding From Drilling

The Tribune Review reported Thursday a Center for Rural Pennsylvania study of water well contamination from Marcellus Shale drilling had yet another problem. This time Penn State researchers said a lab error showing increases in bromide levels in seven water wells were wrong.
When the report was originally released in October, the authors of the report had to correct charts showing data collected in the report.
A notice about the study posted on the Center for Rural PA's website says, "According to the University, these updated results show that the occurrence of bromide in water wells after gas drilling or drilling and fracking is not as prevalent as first reported (in 7 wells), but did occur in a single case (1 well). In this case, the increase in bromide was accompanied by increases in chloride, hardness, and other indicators after drilling and fracking had occurred, as documented in the report.
"At this time, all research findings are being reviewed. Upon completion of the review, the researchers will develop an errata sheet to reflect all corrected data and analyses. Based on the errata, the Center for Rural Pennsylvania will issue a revised report, which should be available in the coming weeks."
Based on the original sampling results, the study recommended increasing the zone of presumptive liability and private water well testing from 1,000 to 3,000 feet from Marcellus Shale gas wells due to increased levels of bromide, sediment and metals found by the study.

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