Now more information is coming to light about water quality issues and injection wells.
The first link is to the RiverReporter. Obviously, a lot of research has gone into this. Note the reference to Henry Waxman’s (D California), House Oversight Committee and the various chemicals used.
http://www.riverreporter.com/issues/08-05-08/head2-drilling.html
The second link is to the EPA site and refers to injection wells
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/uic/index.html
After checking out the various links on that site, you will have a much better idea of what injection wells are, as well as what they will mean to our area.
Again, this writer suggests that EVERYONE who lives anywhere near (within a mile or so) of any new gas well have their water tested for VOC’s, total disolved solids and other pertinent items. The test MUST be taken by an independent source and tested by an independent certified laboratory. This test must be done as a baseline test, before there is a problem with your water.
Yes, you can pick up a bottle and take your own test. Penn State will do a test for some reduced price. Be careful in what and whom you put your faith in regarding water testing. If you take the test yourself, please be prepared to understand that the results are informational at best and almost certainly won’t stand up in court.
In the first place, there is the matter of whether or not the test will include items which are absolutely critical to what you need to know. Second, there is the absolutely essential matter of “Chain of Custody”. Why would you care? If you have a problem (as verified by a second or subsequent test), you will need to prove there was nothing wrong with your water in the first place. At the end of the day, if you take the test yourself, there is no way you can prove (a) that the test was taken by you, (b) that the test was on water from your well, and (c) that you didn’t tamper with the original sample.
Think of the cost of the baseline test as an investment in your home, one you won’t get a second chance at.