With all of the claims regarding freshwater impacts from shale drilling, we thought you might find this of interest (from Essential Public Radio 90.5): "Tests of water wells near gas drilling sites generally didn't find detrimental changes in water quality, according to a new report issued by The Center for Rural Pennsylvania at Penn State University. However, scientists said more research is needed on the sources of methane in water wells. *** According to the report, many of the problems had existed before drilling even started. About 40 percent of the wells failed at least one water quality test before gas drilling started. Most of the failing grades were due to higher than accepted levels of coliform bacteria and turbidity, or cloudiness. Some wells also showed methane before drilling." (Emphasis is ours.)
Not a surprise for many in PA who have been following this issue ...
For a copy of the study itself, see here.