Fracking’s Wastewater: An Unregulated Environmental Hazard
As reported by the US Energy Information Administration, natural gas production in the United States is higher than it has ever been. This is largely due to the increase of shale gas over the past decade, made possible through hydraulic fracturing (fracking). However, this process creates large amounts of wastewater called brine or produced water, […]
The Realities About Fracking and Its Environmental Impact
Although hydraulic fracturing (fracking), is benefiting oil and gas drilling across the country, it can be dangerous to both people and wildlife if not done correctly. Fracking involves breaking up shale rock formations deep underground that contains natural resources like gas and oil. To do this, drillers must first create small explosions before pumping a […]
How Coal Mining Continues to Endanger Our Limited Water Supply
Mining can have devastating consequences for water supplies, typically resulting in rivers, lakes, and aquifers being contaminated with pollutants such as heavy metals and acidic water. This is commonly known as acid mine drainage, which occurs when exposure to air and water oxidizes certain substances (usually iron sulfide or fool’s gold). If left unchecked, the […]
Facts and Controversies about Fracking
Fracking involves drilling into the earth and directing a high-pressure mixture of water, sand, and chemicals at a rock layer in order to release the gas inside. The wells can be drilled vertically or horizontally. Horizontal drilling allows for more surface area to be exposed to the pressurized mixture, which fractures (or fracks) the rock […]
The Rising Crisis: Water Pollution
An expanding population, drought, and water inefficiency have all contributed to a freshwater crisis that is endangering our planet’s lakes, rivers, streams, groundwater sources, and eventually oceans. A range of pollutants from large pieces of garbage to invisible chemicals pollute these freshwater sources which we rely on for critical needs like drinking water. A recent […]
Protecting the Waters of the United States
Cities used to dump raw sewage in America’s rivers before the Clean Water Act. Chemical waste was discharged into streams, lakes, and oceans by industrial businesses. More than half of the country’s wetlands were destroyed since at least 1980 when records began. In the past 50 years, thanks to the Clean Water Act, our rivers […]
How Federal Institutions Follow the Clean Waters Act
The main federal law in charge of the improvement and upkeep of our nation’s waters is the Clean Waters Act (CWA). Its primary objective is to stop pollutants from being released into United States waters without a permit. According to CWA 301, it is illegal for anyone to release any type of pollutant into U.S […]