Well water near DISH is tainted with toxins commonly used in gas drilling, according to testing done by Wolf Eagle Environmental LLC.
Damon and Amber Smith of DISH have done without clean well water for the past year, ever since Devon Energy began drilling for natural gas nearby. The couple tried to filter their well water but couldn’t clean up the gray, muddy water.
Wolf Eagle tested mud that had clogged the couple’s water filter and found bentonite, a common ingredient of drilling mud.
The larger problem here is that contaminated drinking water issues are a lot more common than what the Industry will tell you, and one cannot get any support from an agency (Texas Railroad Commission) that is rife with corruption. In this particular case, Devon states that they will “Do whatever it takes” to get the Smiths clean drinking water again- provided a ruling by the TRRC that says Devon is responsible. The TRRC NEVER finds anythign wrong with any operator, and when they do, they minimize it so much as to devalue the results. One neighbor’s water tested 1.4 ppb of benzene- and the TRRC said this number was “So low, it could be a false positive.” No offers to retest the water, and mor eimprtantly, 1.4 is the limit.
Another issue is that the TRRC has repeatedly stated that they ‘DO not get involved in disputes between homeowners and operators.” How convenient for Devon. The Smith’s had perfectly fine water for over 6 years until Devon came along and drilled a gas well 600 feet from their home. Now they have drilling mud, high levels of lead, arsenic and other carcinogens in their water. I think it’s safe to assume that Devon is the responsible party. If not, what is the alternative answer for this contamination?
Gas compaies do not test water before or after drilling. Most homeowners only test their water post drilling. This is what permits the gas companies to boast that they are “Unaware of any ground water contamination”. Because no one is testing.
I wonder how long Amber Smith and her family will have to wait before the TRRC makes a ‘ruling’? They have been waiting a long time as it is.