Waste Water Disposal...The Future Of Disposal and Treatment

OK, so over past few weeks I've really gone to town on posts about fracking wastewater and I hope that I've provided enough information for you to make your own decision on the sustainability of the hydraulic fracturing future.

The last topic I'm going to cover regarding fracking watsewater is the news that in 2014, the  Environmnetal Protection Agenecy (EPA) (http://www.epa.gov/) of the USA are going to set national guidelines for the safe disposal of fracking wastewater. This comes partly in response to pressure from anti-fracking campaigners, such as group Earthjustice, who have been pushing for rigourous and uniform standards of wastewater disposal since the fracking debate began. The new standards specifically require the removal of carcinogenic and toxic chemicals before it is released from water treatment plants. Prior to this amendment, fracking wastewater was classified as 'non-hazardous waste', with American Congress specifically exempting fracking wastewater from hazardous classification in the Solid Waste Disposal Act (1987) (www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/tools/cpg/pdf/rcra-6002.pdf)

Lisa Jackson, the EPA Administrator said:

"The president has made clear that natural gas has a central role to play in our energy economy, that is why we are taking steps — in coordination with our federal partners and informed by the input of industry experts, states and public health organizations — to make sure the needs of our energy future are met safely and responsibly."

In a scientific paper entitled 'Wastewater Generation and Disposal from Natural Gas Wells in Pennsylvania' (http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=6&ved=0CFsQFjAF&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdukespace.lib.duke.edu%2Fdspace%2Fbitstream%2Fhandle%2F10161%2F5320%2FLewis_MP2.pdf&ei=vSFfUsvGEbCO7Ab34oGYCQ&usg=AFQjCNFyXVJrW-tw4HOc5pEc0I6EWnzJoA&sig2=Lw4HVIguoriGZ3KzHlUTZA) by Aurana Lewis from Duke University documents the shift in disposal techniques of fracking wastewater and also draws important comparisons with conventional gas extraction. Interestingly, it has been documented in this paper that fracking wells produce 3 times the amount of natural gas for every gallon of wastewater generated when compared to conventional gas extraction; suggesting that fracking is the more efficient method of gas extraction. However, fracking can only take place where the natural reserves of shale are; concentrating and amplifying wastewater generation in certain areas. This creates a delicate balance of the water budget between the use of fresh water to create the fracking fluid and its subsequent disposal. Historical disposal techniques included direct discharge of wastewater into surfacewater where the small volumes could be adequately diluted but as the fracking industry continues its exponential increase it it evident this is no longer a sustaible future for wastewater disposal. This was particluarly apparent in the period of 2004-2009, where early fracking exploits overwhelmed freshwater systems with wastewater disposal, resulting in reduced surface water quality.

There are four methods outlined for future wastewater disposal; the stringent new outlines cap levels of chloride, dissolved oygen and sulphate levels.

1. Publically Owned Treatment Works (POTW's); this is the treatment of wastewater by municpal treatment facilities that traditionally handle the disposal of household waste and sewerage. By applying filtration techniques such as coagulation, settling ponds and ultra-violet light purification, biological and heavy metal contaminants can be removed.
2. Injection Wells; the permanent disposal of fracking fluid by underground injection into rock formations. This is currently used in Colarado and Western states of the USA.
3. Centralised Wastewater Treatments (CWT's); these are privately owned commercial businesses that handle to  the disposal of industrial waste from both gas and oil exploration.
4. Recycling; this is where fracking wastewater is re-used following blending with freshwater of treatment to remove TDS ( Total Dissolved Solids).

So, this is good news for the US. But what about the UK? (http://www.water.org.uk/home/policy/positions/shale-gas/water-uk-position-paper-on-gas-shale-extraction--sept-2012-.pdf). Well, once again the government seem to be well and truly off the pace. There are no current standards outlined for the disposal of wastewater by the large onshore companies in the UK. Indeed, the whole process is 'self-regulated' by energy company itself. When the future of surface water quality and so many other important environmental concerns hang on the safe disposal of fracking wastewater, the last thing we want to see is a comprimise between quality of water treatment and a companies profit margin . My personal opinion echoes that of the general public: why should fracking companies be allowed to exploit loopholes in the law at the expense of our own environment and countryside. Having spent considerable amounts of time reading up on the UK fracking debate, there is a strong feeling that governmental bodies are waiting for disaster to strike before acting. What's really required is for the UK to come to the forefront of the global fracking debate and set guidelines and regulations in place to mitigate the impacts on the environment and ensure a sustainable future.

Image URL: http://www.presseurop.eu/files/brown-fracking.jpg