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5662

Proactive Source Water Protection Strategies Used to Manage Marcellus Shale Activity

5.0

Drinking Water

American Water Works Association - PA Section

Melanie Greene

melanie@paawwa.org

717-774-8870 Ext.

Partner Website

Drillilng a well in Marcellus Shale involves starting with vertical drilling followed by horizontal drilling. Vertical drilling ranges from 5,000 feet to 9,000 feet below ground depending upon the depth and thickness of the gas reservoir. When the Marcellus Shale is reached, the well is turned, and horizontal drilling occurs for another 3,000 feet to 10,000 feet or more. At various depths, multiple lengths of steel casing are cemented in place to protect surface water, groundwater aquifers, and water supply wells from the potential migration of natural gas and other contaminants. These casings also prevent hydraulic fracturing fluids and deep brine water from leaking and adversely impacting water resources. As with any industry activity, prudent integration of effective operational and physical safeguards is essential in minimizing potential risk and preventing adverse impacts to the environment and public. This 5 hour course includes presentations from various water and wastewater industry professionals representing academia, water supply, regulatory and the waste treatment sectors. The presenters have evaluated developed, and applied several of the Marcellus strategies to reduce the environmental risk to source waters subjected to active well sites located within or adjacent to watershed boundaries.

Intermediate

Marcellus Shale Development & Protection of Water Resources Source Water Monitoring & Protection Strategies for Water Suppliers Protection of Drinking Water Supplies near Marcellus Gas well drilling Disposition of Frac flowback water: Current and Future Waste Treatment Options

Public/Private water supply personnel and engineers responsible for water resource and watershed protection, operating a drinking water system within the Marcellus Shale regions. Any water/wastewater industry personnel interested in learning about effective source water protection strategies to manage the environmental risk associated with Marcellus Shale activity.

Classroom