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Water companies back in July this year, warned the shale gas industry that the quality of our drinking water must be protected at all costs and fracking must not harm public health.
They clearly stated in their press release that ‘Shale gas fracking could lead to contamination of the water supply with methane gas and harmful chemicals if not carefully planned and carried out.’
The same press release went on:
‘The fracking process requires huge amounts of water, which will inevitably put a strain on supplies in areas around extraction sites. Also, the power of the drilling and fracturing process even risks damaging existing water pipes, which could lead to leaks and shortages to people’s homes and businesses.’
This week, after declaring a wish to work with the Fracking industry, Water UK, which represents the water industry, and the UK Onshore Operators Group, the onshore oil and gas industry’s representative body, announced they are to work together to help minimise the impact of onshore oil and gas development in the UK on the country’s water resources.
 As a result, yesterday 27th November 2013, Water UK and UKOOG signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which ensures their respective members will cooperate throughout the shale gas exploration and extraction process.
A key aim of the agreement is to give the public greater confidence and reassurance that everything will be done to minimise the effects on water resources and the environment.
Water UK has reviewed recent reports into shale gas extraction, and believes that while there are potential risks to water and wastewater services, these can be mitigated given proper enforcement of the regulatory framework.
Under the MoU, members of UKOOG and Water UK will work together to identify and resolve risks around water or waste water including:
• Baseline monitoring requirements to assess impacts of onshore oil and gas development on the quality and quantity of local water resources;
• Plans relating to site water management, especially water reuse, to improve understanding of local impacts;
• Onshore oil and gas company development plans, including scenarios for expansion of exploration and development within a local area and what this means for short and long-term demand for water at specific locations;
• The expected volumes and chemical and biological composition of waste water as well as preferred disposal routes.
 But, responding to the new memorandum of understanding between Water UK and the fracking industry, Greenpeace Energy Spokesperson Anna Jones said:
“This agreement acknowledges that fracking will impact and affect the UK’s water resources and environment. Water is a key concern for people in areas where drilling is proposed, particularly among farmers, who're worried for their livestock. A voluntary agreement between Water UK and its major new client is unlikely to alleviate these concerns.
You will never regulate away the risks of fracking. As Bloomberg New Energy Finance's CEO said earlier this month - 'there will be accidents; there will be failures".
Source: Water UK / Greenpeace
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