‘Fracking’ can harm our water supply

‘Fracking’ can harm our water supply

I’m writing in response to Mark Denzler, co-chair, GROW-IL, in his letter to the editor Sept. 16. In his letter he states a good case for the economic prosperity for our state through the practice of hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking. This process involves well rigs drilling deep below the ground into the shale formations to withdraw the trapped gas located there. He cited the upsides of fracking natural gas, but he doesn’t site the dangerous ramifications.

This process requires tremendous amounts of water (5-8 million gallons of fresh water), sand, and a “fluid cocktail” which is an industry secret. Some of the chemicals which make up this cocktail include: benzene (a known carcinogen), toluene, ethyl benzene, xylene, along with other toxins (WaterPollutionLawyers.com).

A well which consumes 5 million gallons of fresh water in the process would create 11,000 gallons of contaminated water and chemicals (USGS.com). Where is this water going?

There have been a number of reports of contaminated water nationwide. The EPA performed a study of the water in Pavilion, Wyoming and reported that the best explanation for the pollution was that fluids used in the hydraulic fracturing process migrated up from the fracking operations and contaminated an aquifer (EPA.Gov/HFStudy). The EPA has yet to conclude their studies of this fracking process and their report is not scheduled to be released until 2014.

In the meantime, can we just slow down with this whole concept? After all, our fresh drinking water is at stake.

Garrick Balk

South Elgin