Problems Associated With Frac Water Disposal

byAlma Abell

Fracking, also referred to as hydraulic fracking is the process of drilling into subterranean shale and blasting it open to release gas that is found underneath. The biggest problem that has actually been facing fracking is the disposal of millions of gallons of water that have been contaminated with frac chemicals, salts and other leached minerals. The effects of these chemicals to the environment are a greater concern to the environment and now many organizations are pushing for the closure of companies that are responsible for frac water disposal in the US.

The most commonly used method in frac water disposal, which is basically pumping the water underground, has been associated with earthquakes. This is so because when the water is pumped, there is a rise in the sub-surface pressure thereby leading to an earthquake.

The frac water has been associated with pollution of the environment with many cases being reported where the waste water has flown to rivers, cities and lakes and caused contamination as well as other hazardous effects.

The use of water for hydraulic fracturing also leads to the diversion of water from water supplies, stream, flows, and municipalities. The frac waste water also contains oils spills and methane gas which have a severe effect on the marine environment. Surface runoffs end up in ground water systems, and in some cases, tracks involved in the transportation and disposal of the millions of gallons of water frac water cause spillages.

The treatment and disposal of frac water has been taken by sewage treatment plants that do not have enough equipment to treat the millions of gallons of frac water. Therefore the disposal of frac water has been a great problem to the environment.

Many companies prefer shifting frac waste disposal role to specialized treatment plants, which leads to spillages on the way and it`s also expensive for the company. The process of diluting the contaminated also consumes billions of gallons of water which at times end up leaking in to the soil and in to rivers. A new technology has been improvised that does not require the use of water to dilute the waste water.

It is based on desalinization technology known as membrane distillation. The procedure combines heat and gallons of water per day, which cuts cost of frac water treatment in half.

HED Environmental System is dedicated to ensuring that frac water is disposed in the most effective way. Please visit the company`s website www.hedenvironmentalsystems.com for more information on how it`s done.