Millions of gallons of water are required for gas shale drilling. Water discharged from the drilling process contains dissolved solids such as salts, sulfates and nitrates.
High levels of total dissolved solids have been blamed for damaged industrial equipment and foul-smelling drinking water. Water companies support these regulations because their treatment plants cannot handle totally dissolved solids.
The new rules would require natural gas companies that are returning discharged water to state waterways to treat the water so that no more than 500 parts per million of total dissolved solids would be released.
If the new rules are approved, they will move on to the state House and Senate environmental committees for consideration.
READ THIS STORY AT PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Millions of gallons of water are required for gas shale drilling. Water discharged from the drilling process contains dissolved solids such as salts, sulfates and nitrates.
High levels of total dissolved solids have been blamed for damaged industrial equipment and foul-smelling drinking water. Water companies support these regulations because their treatment plants cannot handle totally dissolved solids.
The new rules would require natural gas companies that are returning discharged water to state waterways to treat the water so that no more than 500 parts per million of total dissolved solids would be released.
If the new rules are approved, they will move on to the state House and Senate environmental committees for consideration.
READ THIS STORY AT PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
