Document Collection�

Below are links to copies of major documents prepared as part of this effort to gather and analyze information related to the potential impacts on underground sources of drinking water from the injection of hydraulic fracturing fluids into coalbed methane wells. Most documents are in HTML or Adobe PDF format. (ALL ABOUT PDF FILES)��

Evaluation of Impacts to Underground Sources of Drinking Water by Hydraulic Fracturing of Coalbed Methane Reservoirs

• Completed Study

Read and/or Print in PDF Format Below
Download Entire Study (13MB zip file)

• Executive Summary (2005KB PDF FILE, 22pgs)
• Cover, Table of Contents, Glossary (384KB PDF FILE, 20pgs)
  • Chapter 1 - Introduction (878KB PDF FILE, 11pgs)
  • Chapter 2 - Study Methodology (54KB PDF FILE, 7pgs)
  • Chapter 3 - Characteristics (1092KB PDF FILE, 32pgs)
  • Chapter 4 - Hydraulic Fracturing Fluids (1211KB PDF FILE, 26pgs)
  • Chapter 5 - Summary of Coalbed Methane Basin Descriptions (704KB PDF FILE, 17pgs)
  • Chapter 6 - Water Quality Incidents (94KB PDF FILE, 16pgs)
  • Chapter 7 - Conclusions and Recommendations (34KB PDF FILE, 6pgs)
• Appendices
  • Appendix A - Department of Energy - Hydraulic Fracturing White Paper (495KB PDF FILE, 23pgs)
  • Appendix B - Quality Assurance Plan (139KB PDF FILE, 14pgs)
• Master References (79KB PDF FILE, 15pgs)
• Attachments
  • San Juan Basin (1504KB PDF FILE, 33pgs)
  • Black Warrior Basin (810KB PDF FILE, 24pgs)
  • The Piceance Basin (610KB PDF FILE, 16pgs)
  • The Uinta Basin (431KB PDF FILE, 10pgs)
  • The Powder River Basin (361KB PDF FILE, 20pgs)
  • The Central Appalachian Coal Basin (486KB PDF FILE, 18pgs)
  • The Northern Appalachian Coal Basin (1089KB PDF FILE, 17pgs)
  • The Western Interior Basin (1462KB PDF FILE, 29pgs)
  • The Raton Basin (542KB PDF FILE, 19pgs)
  • The Sand Wash Basin (384KB PDF FILE, 15pgs)
  • The Pacific and Central Coal Region (292KB PDF FILE, 14pgs)

• Public Comment and Response Summary for the Study of Potential Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing of Coalbed Methane Wells on Underground Sources of Drinking Water (257KB PDF FILE, 39pgs)
  
  

• Study History

EPA invited the public to report to EPA known incidents of ground water contamination believed to be associated with hydraulic fracturing of CBM wells. As described in a July 30 Federal Register notice [PDF version (85KB PDF FILE, 3pgs)], comments were due to EPA by August 29, 2001.

Study Approach

• Draft Study Design (July 2000)�� �[ PDF version (18KB PDF FILE, 6pgs) ]
• Final Study Design (April, 2000)
• August 24, 2000 Public Meeting
  • Federal Register Meeting Announcement
  • Meeting Summary and List of Attendees (64KB PDF FILE, 28pgs)

Safewater Home | About Our Office | Publications | Calendar | Links | Office of Water | En Español

EPA Home | Privacy and Security Notice | Contact Us