Wyoming DEQ Releases Much-Anticipated Draft Report on Pavillion

On December 18, the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) released its draft report on the state’s continued investigation into drinking water quality concerns in the Pavillion area related to hydraulic fracturing. The report finds that evidence does not indicate that hydraulic fracturing fluids have risen to shallow depths intersected by water supply wells, and that it is unlikely that fracturing has caused any impacts to the water-supply wells.
“This draft report is part of an extensive scientific investigation to better understand what may be contributing to private water well concerns,” says DEQ Director Todd Parfitt. “This is a draft report, and we look forward to input from the public which will further inform the agency as it completes its scientifically supportable final report.”
Comments can be submitted on the draft report by COB March 18 to: http://deq.wyoming.gov/wqd/resources/public-comments-online/. A fact sheet also is available. [Parisien]