As WPX Energy contractors place efforts to drill into the Marcellus ShaleA fine grained sedimentary rock composed mostly of consolidated clay or mud. Shale is the most frequently occurring sedimentary rock.ShaleA fine grained sedimentary rock composed mostly of consolidated clay or mud. Shale is the most frequently occurring sedimentary rock. is one of the most highly productive types of sedimentary rock whose density provides tight stores forhydrocarbon reserves below. Marcellus ShaleA fine grained sedimentary rock composed mostly of consolidated clay or mud. Shale is the most frequently occurring sedimentary rock. is a rock formationA body of earth material with distinctive and characteristic properties. running through about two-thirds of Pennsylvania, and areas of New York and West Virginia. Geologists estimate that there is a large enough natural gas reserve within the shaleA fine grained sedimentary rock composed mostly of consolidated clay or mud. Shale is the most frequently occurring sedimentary rock. to power the United States for one to eight years. and extract natural gasA naturally occurring mixture of hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon gases beneath the earth’s surface – often in association with petroleum. from the land in Franklin Township, they are also placing efforts on restoring drinking water.  The company has arranged to provide landowners in the township with a bulk water tank filled with replacement drinking water.

When three homeowners in the townships began to notice gray and black discoloration in their water, they knew there was a serious problem and contacted the Department of Environmental ProtectionThis state agency has permitting and primary regulatory authority over the natural gasA naturally occurring mixture of hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon gases beneath the earth’s surface – often in association with petroleum. industry in the state..  The water was tested for water contamination.  All three samples contained elevated amounts of methaneMethane, commonly known as natural gas is the most common hydrocarbon gas. It is colorless and naturally odorless, and burns efficiently without many by products. and two contained barium at twice the federal drinking water limits.  The DEPThis state agency has permitting and primary regulatory authority over the natural gasA naturally occurring mixture of hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon gases beneath the earth’s surface – often in association with petroleum. industry in the state. has not determined the cause of the elevated methaneMethane, commonly known as natural gas is the most common hydrocarbon gas. It is colorless and naturally odorless, and burns efficiently without many by products..

The wells placed in the township for drilling were not tested prior to drilling, making comparisons between past and current water quality very difficult.

State regulators called WPX to provide help to the families that were affected by the water contamination.  WPX then took gas samples at three water wells to perform an analysis on the level of methaneMethane, commonly known as natural gas is the most common hydrocarbon gas. It is colorless and naturally odorless, and burns efficiently without many by products..  This data will be shared with the state as part of the investigation.

Right now, there is no information about what kind of methaneMethane, commonly known as natural gas is the most common hydrocarbon gas. It is colorless and naturally odorless, and burns efficiently without many by products. it is and where it is coming from.  In other areas where the Marcellus is “booming,” there are similar water contamination issues.