Water Wells Near Gas Drilling More Likely to Have Heavy Metals, Barnett Shale Study Finds

Private water wells near natural gas drilling in North Texas’ Barnett Shale gas field are more likely to be contaminated with heavy metals than those farther from gas operations, a study at the University of Texas at Arlington has found.

Contamination occurred more often and in greater amounts when water wells were closer to gas wells, scientists said.  Water wells outside gas-producing areas showed no such problems.

Researchers could not pinpoint the sources, but they ruled out the upward movement of fluids injected deep underground in hydraulic fracturing, or fracking.

Water Wells Near Gas Drilling More Likely to Have Heavy Metals, Barnett Shale Study Finds