The connection between water pollution and shale gas fracking

Shale gas fracking could lead to increased levels of water pollution in many parts of the world. Shale gas (natural gas trapped within the shale formations) is becoming increasingly popular source of natural gas, not only in United States, but the rest of the world too.

The U.S. scientists at the Stony Brook University have found the link between the shale gas fracking and water pollution by claiming that the disposal of contaminated wastewater that comes from hydraulic fracturing (fracking) wells producing natural gas poses a major risk of excessive water pollution.

They have studied the intensively developed Marcellus Shale region that extends throughout much of the Appalachian Basin and discovered that the disposal of large amounts of fracking well wastewater that will likely be generated in this area presents major water pollution threat because of risks from salts and different radioactive materials such as sodium, chloride, bromide, arsenic, barium, all of which are common compounds in fracking well wastewater.

The scientists further claim that if only 10 percent of the Marcellus Shale region was developed, that could equate to 40,000 wells, and describe this by comparing the volume of contaminated wastewater with "several hours flow of the Hudson River or a few thousand Olympic-sized swimming pools."

The scientists have concluded that regulators and others should consider additional mandatory steps to reduce the potential of drinking water contaminated from shale gas fracking.

This study is not the first of its kind linking shale gas fracking and water pollution. Last year's study concluded that fracking has seriously contaminated shallow groundwater supplies in northeastern Pennsylvania with flammable methane, while in December 2011 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency( EPA) issued a draft finding which stated that the groundwater contamination in Pavilion, Wyoming may be the result of fracking in the area.

The shale gas development is a big thing these days and many industrial lobbyists have been describing fracking as a green alternative to renewable energy. Judging by the current looks of it the environmental impacts of shale gas fracking are not harmless as previously thought and require adequate management, with special emphasis on lowering the potential risk for contaminated fracking wastewater release.

Water is a precious resource, and the last thing this world needs right now is more contaminated water. Shale gas is currently extremely profitable business but  further development should also include solutions for potential environmental and health risks shale gas fracking may be connected with.

Wastewater reuse can increase global water resources

The safety of future water supply is one of key global issues in the modern world. One of the best ways how to increase the global and nation's water resources in order to satisfy ever-growing needs of rapidly growing human population is to reuse municipal wastewater.

The recent technological advances have come to a point where the possible negative health effects of „exposure to chemical contaminants and disease-causing microbes from wastewater reuse do not exceed, and in some cases may be significantly lower than, the risks of existing water supplies.“ At least this is what the latest study by the National Research Council has to say about it.

The wastewater treatment processes have advanced significantly and wastewater reuse will sooner or later become extremely important factor in enabling adequate nation's water supply.

The wastewater reuse doesn't have to be necessarily used for drinking purposes but also for irrigation and industry.

Some communities in United States already use different wastewater reuse projects such as irrigation of golf courses and parks and reused wastewater also often provides industrial cooling water in areas close to wastewater reclamation plants.

The costs of technologies used to treat wastewater vary significantly and are mostly dependent on different on-site factors. When compared with seawater desalination and most commonly used water conservation methods wastewater reuse projects come in the middle- they are usually less expensive compared to seawater desalination and more expensive compared to most water conservation methods.

The costs will however mean very little in years to come if wastewater reuse becomes one of the most used options to ensure adequate water supply because water is the most precious resource on our planet, and something we can't live without.

We have already reached the point where our society must start to use water with care because without water there's no life, and the last thing that should be left into the legacy of our children and grandchildren are global water shortages.

Wastewater definition

Wastewater is liquid waste discharged by domestic residences, commercial properties, industry, agriculture, which often contains some contaminants that result from the mixing of wastewater from different sources.

Based on its origin wastewater can be classed as sanitary, commercial, industrial, agricultural or surface runoff. Term wastewater need to be separated from the term sewage, sewage is subset of wastewater that is contaminated with feces or urine though many people use term sewage referring to any waste water.

Wastewater mostly consists of pure water (more than 95%), and there are numerous processes that can be used to clean up waste waters depending on the type and extent of contamination. Treated wastewater can then be reused as the drinking water after it has been cleared of contaminants.

The treatment of wastewater is not only important for our own health but also to keep our environment clean and healthy. Without the proper wastewater treatment many ecosystems would be severely damaged once the treated water gets recharged back into the environment.

Wastewater treatment - Facts

Wastewater treatment includes different methods and processes that are used to clean wastewater from certain contaminant(s).

The most common form of wastewater treatment includes large wastewater treatment plants that use different physical, chemical and biological treatment processes to clean up wastewater.

Other forms of wastewater treatment in United States include On-Site Sewage Facilities (OSSF) that are very common in rural areas, and serve up to one quarter of the homes in the U.S. It is estimated that in the United States, On Site Sewage Facilities collect, treat, and release about 4 billion gallons of treated effluent per day from an estimated 26 million homes, businesses, and recreational facilities nationwide.

The main benefit of wastewater treatment is that treated wastewater can afterwards be reused as drinking water, or used in industry and agriculture for several different purposes (cooling towers, irrigation).

The most expensive wastewater treatment methods are connected with industries because industries produce huge amounts of wast waters, and thus require chemical treatments that are very expensive, and start with removing suspended solids from the wastewater.

Algae could have very important role in future wastewater treatment plants, for instance Algaewheel, company based in Indianapolis, Indiana, presented a proposal to build a new wastewater treatment facility in Cedar Lake, Indiana that would use algae to treat municipal wastewater.

The substances that are removed during water treatment are called sludge. Sludge can be later used for several different purposes, such as fertilizer.

Wastewater treatment is successful if treated wastewater can be discharged back into the environment without causing environmental and health risks.