A new investigation by the New York firm Toxics Targeting has found dozens of natural gas concerns that were never fully investigated nor remediated, including water contamination linked to hydraulic fracturing. The investigation found 39 incidents of drinking water complaints, including drinking water contaminated by methane, water turning brown, and water with particles in it. According to Toxics Targeting, these incidents reportedly involved inadequate laboratory testing that did not analyze for methane or, in some cases, no testing was conducted at all.
At least one case of drinking water contamination occurred after a nearby hydraulic fracturing operation.
Toxics Targeting concludes that it is beyond dispute that New York State lacks the effective means to report, assess and remediate oil and gas hazards in order to safeguard New York’s environment and public health. We agree.