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Getting The Waters Tested
Types of Water Testing
Citizen Science
And Remote Monitoring Baseline Testing – Just the Facts
Step 1-Third-Party Sampler
and Certified Testing
Screening Tests
or Self-Monitoring Step 2- Screening
Step 3
Follow-up
Certified Testing
Step 3
Follow-up
Certified Testing
Document
© 2014 by B.F. Environmental Consultants Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of B.F. Environmental Consultants Inc.
For permission – Contact Mr. Brian Oram, PG
570- 335-1947
http://www.water-research.net http://www.bfenvironmental.com
Presentation (Continuing Ed
Units) Presentation is available for 2 credit hours
of continuing education for licensed
professionals (PE, PG, and PLS)
Please contact us – so we can provide you
links to outside videos to supplement the
presentation.
Brian Oram – [email protected]
Credit Cost - $ 30.00
Perf Gun
Presented by: Mr. Brian Oram, Professional Geologist (PG),
Soil Scientist, Licensed Well Driller
B.F. Environmental Consultants Inc.
http://www.bfenvironmental.com
Water Research Center
http://www.water-research.net
Keystone Clean Water Team
http://www.pacleanwater.org
Prepared For
Shalefield Justice Spring Break
2014
http://shalefieldjusticespringbreak.org/
B.F. Environmental
Consultants Inc.
Professional Consulting Services in the areas of
water quality, soils, stormwater, geology, aquifer
analysis, and land-development.
Baseline – Chain-of-Custody
Expert Testimony
Water Treatment Process/ Product Development
http://www.bfenvironmental.com
Water-Research Center
Education and Outreach Program funded by
B.F. Environmental Consultants Inc.
Outreach Programs
Environmental and Professional Education and Training for Citizens and Local Municipalities
Water Quality Help Guides – Information Library
Community and Business Outreach Programs
Low Cost – Informational Water Testing Program with National Laboratory
Citizen Monitoring Programs
Website: http://www.water-research.net
Keystone Clean Water Team ( Pacleanwater.org )
Private Well Owner and Community
Fact Based Education and Outreach Programs
Groundwater Quality
Private Wells
Energy Production, Use, and Conservation
Source Water Protection Issues
Renewable Energy
Septic Systems Source Water Protection Private Wells
Current Programs
Free Assistance in Reviewing Baseline Data for Private Well Owners
Free Website with Information on Water Quality Problems with Case Studies
Educational Materials and Educational Presentations
Training Program for Baseline Samplers
Go to http://www.water-research.net
Effort Start in 1989
We conducted private well owner and
watershed education programs on private
wells
Education Program on how Groundwater
and Surfacewater are Connected !
The role of non-point source pollution and
the concept – We ALL Live Downstream.
Our Latest Educational Resource Description of the following:
a. Citizen Database
b. Baseline Testing
c. Drinking Water Standards
d. Specific Water Quality Standards
e. Treatment Options
f. How to Shock Disinfect a Well
g. How to Properly Construct a Well
h. General Guidelines on Baseline Testing
Parameters.
And More. cost$ 5.00
Other Resources at http://www.water-research.net
Recent Site Tour- Towanda, PA
I took both photos – First Time on the Drilling Platform
and first time watching the EPA Sample.
EPA Sampling In Dimock
This Presentation
Baseline Water Quality
How Private Wells
Get Impacted (Pathways)
Examples
Education
Working as a Community
Drinking
Water
Legacy
Issues
Environment
Shale Gas
Industry
All Other Industries
Non-Point
Movements
The Citizen and the Marcellus Shale
Do You
Feel This
Way?
PADEP/EPA
Goups
with
Agendas
Marcellus Shale / Clean Water
The Match of the Century or Couple
Hundred Years.
The Match Of the Century – Pick a Side and Lets See Who Wins.
We ALL Live Downstream !
We Need to Work as a Community !
No –This mindset will NOT get us Anywhere.
Maintaining the Balance
Critical Issues
Understand Existing Problems (own them)
Attempt to Understand Potential Problems
(Mitigate)
Monitor and be Vigilant
Educate and Inform
Be Open to Change Your Opinion
Be Fact Based NOT Fear Based !
Where Should We Start ?
Most Individuals Biggest Asset
(Besides Your Health)
No Matter What the Size
It is Your Castle and Clean Safe
Drinking Water / Environment is Critical
Baseline Testing Should Include ALL Likely Impacts
Your Well
It Began With Telling Private Well
Owners – it is Up to Them To Test
Their Well Water Quality and We
Have Problems (1989).
100 % Pure Water – No Problems (WRONG !)
Groundwater Quality in PA (Based on
25 years of Experience) and the Citizens
Database
Iron / Manganese
Bacteria
Sediment / Gases
Corrosion
50% Other
50%
Percent Exceeded
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Total C
oliform
pH <
6.5
Lead
Man
gane
seIro
n
e. coli
Pht
halte
s
Ars
enic
TDS
Sod
ium
(> 2
00 m
g/L)
Chlorid
e
Gro
ss A
lpha
Perc
en
t E
xceed
ed
Well Inflenced
by
Saline Water
bis(2 ethylhexylphthaltes)
What?
Plasticizers?
From the Database – Predrilling Data ONLY!
TDS – Total Dissolved Solids
Most Contamination appears to be
associated with Total Coliform
Bacteria Insects, Larvae and
Nests / Egg Masses
Mouse Colonies
Snakes
Beehives
Mud - when casing to
close to ground
Therefore – In some cases - the Private Wells
are Facilitating Groundwater Contamination. Bacterial Testing Should be Part of Baseline Testing
Great for Determining Vulnerability of Private Well
3/18/2014 23
Two Main Bacterial Pathways
1. Direct entry because of the use
of a standard well cap, well is located
in a pit, or well gets inundated.
2. In adequate casing or grout to seal off
the aquifer.
3. Other wells
4. Failure of an Older Steel Casing
Casing Failure
3/18/2014 25
How Contaminants Can Up into a Shallow Aquifer-
The Subsurface Path
Fresh
Water
Brine or Salty Water
PADEP determined cause is related to Natural Gas
PADEP determined cause is NOT related to Natural Gas
Blue Dots - PADEP still evaluating
Lots of Press About the
Yellow Dots – but What is Causing
All the Pink Dots??
Primary Concerns in PA Legacy Leases
Surface Disturbance – Erosion / Sedimentation (Habitat Disturbance)
Surface Spills and Releases- impacting groundwater and surfacewater
Methane Gas Migration or Movement (all sources)
Life Style Changes- More water use
Poor Water Well Siting and Poor Construction (No Grouting / Insufficient casing)
Historic water quality issues
Corrosive Water
Air Quality (not covering)
This is simply and factually NOT Just a
Shale Gas Issue ! Some of the public will
not agree – but OK!
Case Studies
We Do Cases Studies and We are Looking
for Additional Cases Studies to Review.
What ? Where? How?
Problem Caused by Manganese, Slime Bacteria, and Iron Bacteria
Nuisance Bacteria Can Really Do
This?
Before
Shock
Disinfect
and Clean
Wellbore Homeowner Calls
Primary Cause
Nuisance Bacteria
Evaluate
Findings: Iron, Manganese, Aluminum High
Chloride, Barium, Methane Low
Nuisance Bacteria – Extremely High
ORP - Low
Black Slime
Cause – Iron Bacteria and Slime Bacteria
Problems
a. Discolored Water
b. Elevated Level of Iron, Aluminum,
Manganese, Lead / Copper hits
Location – Pike County, PA
Marcellus Drilling – ZERO (Delaware
River Basin)
Recent – Private Well Case –
Elevated Aluminum Well Located in NEPA, PA. (Must by Natural Gas Development)
Problem Homeowner reports elevated blood and hair levels of aluminum.
Methane Levels – Not detectable.
The data
Sample 1- 2.99 mg/L (aluminum) – first flush hotwater UT (untreated) Bathroom
Sample 2 0.63 mg/L – hotwater UT bathroom after flushing
Sample 3 < 0.05 mg/L coldwater UT bathroom after flushing
Sample 9 0.17 mg/L Kettle water boiled- put cold treated water in the cup
Sample 10 < 0.05 mg/L outside spigot- Untreated
Other Possible Cause – Corrosive water and nuisance bacteria can
increase the concentration of aluminum in the water.
http://www.carbonwaters.org (Graph Later in Presentation)
Common Problems Associated with
Natural Gas Development and other
Private Wells
Dirty and Discolored Water – associated with the initial
drilling of the well. Water has metallic taste.
Increased Levels of iron, manganese, and aluminum and
some other metals.
Increased Levels of Dissolved Gases – Primarily Methane,
but maybe carbon dioxide, ethane, propane, and radon.
Bacterial problems – road salt.
Please Note – These Photos May Also Represent Baseline Conditions
Losing Circulation (Example)
with Shallow Well Drilling
PSU Study -Migration and Disturbance During Drilling-
losing circulation Proper Construction Poor Construction
Key Points
1. Proper Casing and Cement of Marcellus Shale Wells
2. Knowing How Private Wells Are Constructed
3. Isolation Distances will not Solve This Problem.
4. Fixing Private Wells has to be part of the Solution.
5. This may account for the data on bromide from PSU.
6. The issue may not be well radial distance, but construction
and drilling issue.
7. Recommend closed loop drilling with water within
freshwater aquifer (no muds) or water-based muds.
up t
o 2
000 f
t
Lined Pit
Could this explain the
Bromide Issue or
Discolored Water??
Tanks
Add
String
Movement and Migration along Bedding Planes, Joints, and Fractures
80 feet from
Ground surface
Movement of Soils and Sediment
Along Bedding, Joints, and Fractures
Open Fractures Tend to Decrease with
Depth
Which Water Sample is More
Contaminated?
Road Salt 5600 mg/L
Iron 2 mg/L
Manganese 0.5 mg/L
Salt 100 mg/L
Iron 25 mg/L
Manganese 3 mg/L
Which is Easier To Fix ? (B wins)
A B
Bedrock Fractures and Fractured Zones
High Yielding Well
(High Methane ?) Fractured Zone
Lower Yielding Well
(Low Methane?)
Methane Gas Migration- Not
Related to Marcellus Shale
Private Well Landfill Wetland
600 to
1200 ft
1200 to
3000+ ft
Gas from Non-Marcellus Shale
Groundwater Flow
Lake
Rock Sample from Quarry – West of
Dimock
Sandstone Unit – Containing Plant Materials,
Organic Muds – Possible Shallow Methane Source
Methane Solubility
Zero Head 28 mg/L
50 feet Head 69 mg/L
100 feet Head 110 mg/L
150 feet Head 151 mg/L
200 feet Head 192 mg/L
Freshwater – Solubility as a function of pressure.
Therefore, Water
Well methane levels
can exceed 28 mg/L
if water is not in
equilibrium
with the atmosphere.
How Can Methane Level be Above 28 mg/L ?
Natural – Salt Spring State Park
Legacy: Abandon Oil and Gas
Wells
Methane in Water Methane has been a hidden issue in NEPA.
The gas is colorless, tasteless, and odorless
and there are no known health effects.
Potential concerns relate to flammability/
explosiveness of gas.
Background – appears to range from non-
detect to over 20+ mg/L (highly variable) in
Northeast Pennsylvania.
I lit my first well water sample in about 1989-
thanks to methane gas.
1 ft 1 ft
250 ft
50 ft 200 ft
Specific Capacity =
Gpm/ft of drawdown
gpm = 5 gpm
Static Water Level – 50 feet
Dynamic Level – 200 feet
Sc = (5 gpm/ (150 ft))=
Sc = 0.03 gpm/ft drawdown
Estimating Specific Capacity
Methane Levels and Pumping
Less head pressure
more methane will
be released. Methane
Static
Water
Level
Pump
Off
Dynamic
Water
Level
Pump On
5 gpm
Air Vent
Measure
LEL
Methane Gas Level – Change over
Time- Time with Highest Levels
barometric pressure is low and soils are saturated;
when snow cover is just beginning to melt;
the ground is frozen or ice covered; or
under long-term pumping conditions for the well when the well is experiencing the lowest dynamic water level and greatest drawdown.
Migration Concepts- Multiple Casements and
Recreate Confining Layers- Need Good Cement
Bonds- Cement up to Deepest Casement or Surface
Older
Younger Water Table
Private Well
Migration
Methane Increases
Changing Over Time
Changes in Methane Concentration may induce water quality
changes, such as changes in iron, manganese, aluminum, etc.
Methane Gas Migration – Deep Private Wells or
Old Oil/Gas Wells Solid Pathways
Older
Younger Water Table
Private Well
Deep Private Well / Orphaned Oil Gas Well
Pennsylvania Current Model Baseline Testing is a Recommended Practice and Not a Required Practice.
Oil and Gas Companies are Assumed Responsible if a problem occurs within 1 year of completing or modifying a well within a radial distance of 2500 feet- there are no provisions related to other infrastructure like pipelines, compression stations, storage ponds, or treatment areas.
For Water Withdrawal Wells and other wells for Gas/Oil Operations – all surface owners or water purveyor within 3000 feet must be contacted.
Flow and Quality Tested- Predrilling Testing Required- if YOU request
The Oil and Gas Company is assumed responsible for events occurring within 2500 feet of the wellhead and 1 year.
You can lose this protection if you do not permit the Oil and Gas Company to conduct predrilling baseline testing.
To our knowledge, there is no requirement for post-drilling testing unless it is part of a compliant.
If you are outside 2500 foot radius, you may need to contact the oil/gas company or conduct this testing on your own.
If the Oil and Gas Company – Will Not Conduct Testing for YOU and they are
Drilling within about 0.5 to 1 mile of you and driving on the roads near Your Home
Get Some Level of Baseline Testing Done NOW.
PA Oil and Gas Law Certified mail notification during permit phase if water supply is within 3,000
feet of gas well.
At least 200 feet from a private well, 100 feet stream, wetland, or waterbody, and 1000 feet a public water supply.
Baseline Testing is Recommended Not Required, but they are presumed liable. Liability Provision – Within 2500 feet of a wellhead and within 1 year of completion or modification. Post-Drilling Testing is Not Required or Recommended.
PADEP may require Gas Companies to Respond to Complaints
Reportable Releases Brine - > 10,000 mg/L or 1 % contamination (5 gallons)
Reportable Releases Brine - < 10,000 mg/L or < 1% (15 gallons).
Law May Require an Immediate Investigation when Methane Levels are > 7 mg/L.
Any time the level of methane is at or greater than 7 mg/L - Contact- PADEP and the Local Natural Gas Company in Your Area – Under Oil and Gas Law- Section 78.89 – PADEP may have “, the operator shall immediately conduct an investigation of the incident”.
Baseline Testing- It is Not Just About
Collecting a Water Sample (published ONG
Marketplace – 3/2013)
Link to Article at
http://www.bfenvironmental.com
The Court Case Begins The first day of the baseline sampling.
You need to prepare for this event.
Clean up your system and home
If you are not 100% sure of something –
do not answer.
If you never had a problem – Make that
statement and that is it.
If it is not a scientific fact- just your
observation/ opinion – Say Nothing-
Other than Everything is Fine / No
Problems! (DO NOT Lie)
Preparation Clean-up- including toilet tank, drains,
aerators
Maintain any existing water treatment
systems
Put cleaning chemicals in storage
Look in the toilet reserve tank
Maybe do a preliminary water test –
uncertified for bacteria and other parameters
(informational water testing – not suitable
for baseline and not a fact)
Tell a Good Story!
Getting The Waters Tested
Types of Water Testing
Citizen Science
And Remote Monitoring Baseline Testing – Just the Facts
Step 1-Third-Party Sampler
and Certified Testing
Screening Tests
or Self-Monitoring Step 2- Screening
Step 3
Follow-up
Certified Testing
Step 3
Follow-up
Certified Testing
Step 1- Baseline Testing for Private
Drinking Water Source For the Private Citizen – Baseline Water Testing Starts
with a “Third Party” Sampler – Certified Water Testing .
Baseline Sampling Does Not Start with any of the following:
a. Home Screening Test
b. Water Sample Collected by the Homeowner, Friend, or an
Interested Party, even if the sample is taken to a certified laboratory.
Baseline Sampling includes:
a. Third Party Sampler – unbiased with no vested interest in the results
that has been properly trained and approved by the certified laboratory.
b. If hired by the homeowner, this could be a paid consultant or professional or
an employee of the certified laboratory.
c. If hired by a Oil or Gas Company, it can be a paid consultant or professional
or an employee of the certified laboratory – NOT an employee of the Oil/Gas
Company.
Step 2: After Certified Testing with a Third Party
Sampler- “Using Citizen Science”
In-home Screening Tests or Informational Water Testing
Can be used to Track Water Quality and Potential Change
Work with Local Groundwater Guardian, Sourcewater
Protection, or Watershed Group
This can be supplemented by including a journal of the
water appearance and other aesthetic quality.
If your field screening suggests a problem – Call Local Regulatory
Agency and Conduct Follow-up Certified Testing- This Process Does
Not Start at Step 2.
Order Kits at http://www.carbonwaters.org
Support a 501 c3
What is Certified Baseline Testing?
Certified Baseline Testing is a process to establish the current condition of a system prior to some proposed change or action.
This is the Greatest Level of Protection !
Persons or Agents Directly Involved with this Process
Licensed Professional and Third-Party Sampler
Private Well or Water Source Owner – “Witness the Process Only”
Certified Testing Laboratory
Certified Baseline Testing Agents
Their Responsibilities Homeowner – May be the Client or Just Witness Sampling Process – Homeowners Can
NOT Collect Samples
Professional or other agent should provide a list of recommended parameters, plus should review the data and prepare final summary report for the Water System Owner.
Sampler- Should be a Trained and Approved Third-Party Sampler or Licensed Professional (Approved by the Certified Laboratory)
Certified Laboratory – “Must be Certified for All Parameters” to be Tested, State or National Certification (NELAC)
Selects and Prepares Sample Containers and Collection Procedures
Conducts ALL or Facilitates Testing by a “Certified Laboratory”
Maintains Quality Control of Data and Protects Accuracy of the Data
Certified Laboratory generates a Laboratory Report
Stores the Data in a Secure Manner (Typically Up to 5 years)
Need Help Finding Assistance – Contact Us
Host an Educational Event !
http://www.pacleanwater.org
How Baseline Testing Can Get Done
Private Well Owners – Well Owner Hires a Third-Party Sampler or Professional to Complete this Process. (Sampler MUST be an Individual or Company with Zero Vested Interest in the Results).
Gas Company or Other Company Pays Using a Third-Party Contractor for All Activities (Employees or Direct Agents of the Gas/Oil Company Can NOT Participate in this Process).
Company should give the Well Owner a copy of the report.
You may need to ask or make this a requirement in any agreements.
Are Private Well Owners Required
to Conduct Baseline Testing ?
To our knowledge, there is no requirement by a state or agency for the private owner to conduct baseline testing.
Then why it is recommended?
You May Not be within the area the Permittee tests.
You may be concerned about an adjoining lease.
You May Not believe “Their” results.
You May Want to Test for More Parameters.
You want to have sufficient evidence if a problems does occur.
The Company or “They” may not do any sampling and then there is no data.
Do Not End Up Here !
Do Not Put the Burden of Proof on Yourself ! Water Issues
1. Lake House that is not regularly
used and in most cases the
homeowners did not drink the water.
2. No baseline testing other than
some historic testing for coliform
bacteria and nitrate.
3. The water appeared to change and
get a salty taste and there was some
gas bubbles.
4. Well - no drilling log- located in a
river valley near a lake - over 400
feet deep.
5. Methane Determined to be 15
mg/L with elevated Chloride,
Hardness, and Barium
If Baseline Testing Was Done
We Would Have Proof of the Impact
Now - This will have to be settled in Court
Burden of Proof May be on the Well Owner !
Which Is the Before Sample?
Suggested Baseline Parameters –
Pennsylvania
Conventional Gas and Oil Wells - pH, iron, total
dissolved solids, chloride, surfactants, methane,
and coliform, plus other parameters determined by
the operator.
Our Only Comment – this is completely
inadequate and will not address some of the most
likely potential impacts.
We would strongly recommend testing for
additional parameters.
Source- http://www.spilmanlaw.com/
Parameters Recommended by the
PADEP (2010)
Alkalinity, Chloride, Conductivity, Hardness, Oil and Grease, pH*,
Sulfate, Total Dissolved Solids*, Total Suspended Solids, Residue-
Filterable, Residue– Non Filterable, Barium, Calcium, Iron*, Magnesium,
Manganese*, Potassium, Sodium*, Strontium, Methane*, Ethane*,
Total Coliform and E. coli.
* “As a minimum, a homeowner wishing to have their private well tested should analyze for these parameters” (PADEP, 2010)
http://www.bfenvironmental.com/pdfs/PADEPbaselinemarcellus.pdf
Note – Original Document Not Longer Available on
PADEP Website (see link provided)
Marcellus Shale Coalition Their Recommendation to Gas Companies
The parameters they recommended:
Alkalinity, Total Chromium, Oil & Grease,
Total Arsenic, Barium, Lead, Selenium, Strontium, Iron, Manganese,
Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium
pH, Specific Conductance, Total Dissolved Solids, Total Suspended Solids,
Chloride, Sulfate, Hardness, Surfactants (MBAS/foaming agents), Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, Xylenes (BTEX), Dissolved Methane, Ethane, Propane,
E. Coli. Total Coliform, Nitrate as N , Turbidity
My Comments
1. Missing bromide, aluminum, full range of VOCs, MTBE, ORP
2. Missing surrogate organics like glycols, alcohols, aldehydes, etc.
3. Missing Radionuclides at least alpha, beta, and Uranium.
May be advisable to adjust to the specific nature of local geology,
saline water chemistry, surrounding land-use activities,
and chemical additives.
Suggested Baseline- For Citizens
Permit the Oil and Gas Company to Collect a Predrill or Prealteration Sample. DO NOT Lose the Assumption of Responsibility Provision.
Testing Package # 1 Recommendations – Document Lower Explosion Limit (LEL) and Static and Dynamic Water Level Total Coliform with e. coli confirmation, chloride, sodium, bromide, barium, pH, total dissolved solids, MBAS, conductivity, iron, manganese, ORP, arsenic, Turbidity, and methane/ethane/propane.
Testing Package # 2 Recommendations -Package # 1- plus Aluminum, T. Hardness, Magnesium, Selenium, Strontium, Calcium, Zinc, Alkalinity, Nitrate, Total Suspended Solids, Sulfate, Oil & Grease, and 21-VOCs/MTBE
Testing Package # 3 Recommendations Package #1 and # 2 - plus Potassium, Sulfide, Ammonia, Acidity, Nickel, Gross, Alpha/Beta Activity, Lithium, Lead, and Uranium.
It may be advisable to add Glycols, Radon in water, and other organic
and inorganic parameters. Depending on surrounding
land-use, use of geothermal wells, personal history, local geology,
and past history for the area.
Need Help with Baseline Testing
We Work With Multiple Certified Laboratories
Conduct or Facilitate Baseline Sampling
Provide Assistance in Reviewing Data
Provide Assistance with Private Well Owner Education and Outreach
Our Online Survey – Need Help – Just Ask http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/privatewell
Need Help – Call 570-335-1947 email – [email protected]
Visit – http://www.bfenvironmental.com
Step 2- Level 2: Informational Water
Testing – Test at Least Annually. Does Not Meet Definition of Certified Baseline Data and
DOES Not Replace Certified Baseline Sampling.
Conduct After Certified Baseline Testing is Done.
Data would not hold up in Court as Proof of a change, but may be a cost effective screening tool.
You can collect Sample.
You submit the Sample to a Certified Laboratory
The laboratory provides you the uncertified data.
Significantly Cheaper than Follow-up Baseline Testing and You can Screen for More Parameters
Our Portal – http://www.check-water.com
Step 2- Level 3. Self-Screening
Provides Certified Baseline Data – NO.
Use After Baseline Testing is Completed.
Helps to Track and Provide Supplementary Information – Yes
Recommend This Monitoring along with maintaining a log of water conditions and drilling related activity.
Self-Screening Tools – your eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and maybe some affordable sensors.
Note- We Recommend Home Screening Tests for pH, conductivity,
and Oxidation Reduction Potential – We DO not Recommend Measuring
Just a Total Dissolved Solids Value – Measure Conductivity !
Write Down the Results – Make Sure Your Are Trained to Use the Meter !
For Citizen Science
Make sure to go through a short training program on the use of the equipment, calibration, reporting results, storing the data, and field safety.
Make sure to follow safety protocols and work in teams.
Do NOT Trespass that is why there are Zoom Lenses on Cameras.
Do NOT Invade Private Space or Take Photos of Any Children.
Your Tools- Use a Log Book, Video,
and Photos (date stamp) Eyes – look for signs of discoloration, sediment, chemical sheens, or
gas.
Nose – changes in odors
Mouth – metallic taste, salty taste, bitter taste
Ears – water hammer – Related to Gas
Sensors – Conductivity, ORP, and pH pens
Camera with Zoom Lens
Video Documentation
Write Down When You Calibrate the meter.
Need Help – Just Ask ! We Conduct Community Workshops !
Working as a Community Getting the Community Educated
Encouraging Well Owners to Get their water tested as best as they can afford and sharing this data (data only) with the Citizen Database.
Working with Local Water Authorities- Watershed Groups
Using Source Water Protection As a Guide
Developing a Program to Fix Private Wells – where baseline pre-drilling testing has identified a Problem – Remember we all live upstream.
Permitting the gas company to conduct baseline testing and share this data (data only) as part of Community Meetings or Education Sessions – Citizens Database in PA.
This should include wells, springs, surface ponds, and major waterways in the area.
For Water Wells –
Consider Vulnerability Analysis
What does the Baseline Testing Tell Us?
Does the Well Show Signs of Near Surface, Saline Water or Elevated Methane ? – Pre-Drilling
Does the well have an elevated level of bacteria, chloride, sodium, or intermittent discolored water?
If so – this may be a well that is vulnerable to surfacewater or near surface influence and act as a pathway to contamination or a pathway for “saline water”.
This well should be inspected, fixed, upgraded, or abandon.
Vulnerability Analysis Map
Source- Brian Oram, PG and Wilkes University
Sourcewater Protection http://www.sourcewaterpa.org/
PADEP Developed Preliminary Sourcewater
Protection Plans for Community Water Supplies.
Most Plans Do Not Effective Control or Protect
the Headwaters Because of Lake of Stake-Holders
and Interest.
Plan Can Control through Planning All Hazardous
Activities
Need to Partner with a Community Water Supply
or Municipal Water System
First Step – Form a Steering Committee – WREN
Grants Available for 2014. (3/21/2014)
Tracking Change
Frac Focus – Chemical Registry - http://fracfocus.org (Natural Gas Horizontal Well Control Act – requires Submission of chemical data to Office of Oil and Gas with the WR-35 Reports on specific forms or a Frac Focus Format)
The Citizens Database for PA – http://www.water-research.net
Get Educated – Free Information on Water Quality and Oil / Natural Gas Development–
http://www.private-well-owner.org
Check Out Frac Tracker – YOUR Story Matters
http://www.fractracker.org/projects/usmap/
DO Not Forget the Citizens
Database in Pennsylvania
Quote about the Program – “this program has been a ROCK to us... thank you, as always, thank you thank you!” (Dimock, PA)
Free Evaluation of the Certified Testing Results by a Professional
Working as a Community to Track Change
Insights into Existing Problems to Properly Document Baseline Conditions
Great Free Program
http://www.pacleanwater.org
Our Latest Educational Resource Description of the following:
a. Citizen Database
b. Baseline Testing
c. Drinking Water Standards
d. Specific Water Quality Standards
e. Treatment Options
f. How to Shock Disinfect a Well
g. How to Properly Construct a Well
h. General Guidelines on Baseline Testing
Parameters.
And More. cost$ 5.00
Other Resources at http://www.water-research.net
Certificate of Completion (Draft)
Training Event Getting the waters Tested-Working as a Community
2 – hour PDHs or 0.2 CEUS
Presented by
Mr. Brian Oram, PG
We Will Put Your Name Here
Keystone Clean Water Team (CCGG)
15 Hillcrest Drive
Dallas, PA 18612 More Online Training @
http://www.bfenvironmental.com
Licensed Professionals - Official Certificate with Name and Date
is Available for $ 30.00- just email [email protected]
Document
© 2014 by B.F. Environmental Consultants Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of B.F. Environmental Consultants Inc.
For permission – Contact Mr. Brian Oram, PG
570- 335-1947
http://www.water-research.net http://www.bfenvironmental.com
Presented by: Mr. Brian Oram, Professional Geologist (PG),
Soil Scientist, Licensed Well Driller
B.F. Environmental Consultants Inc.
http://www.bfenvironmental.com
And
Water Research Center
http://www.water-research.net
http://www.water-research.net http://www.bfenvironmental.com
