Document Collection 

Below are links to copies of major documents prepared as part of this effort to gather and analyze information related to the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing.  Most documents are in HTML or Adobe PDF format.  

Completed Study of Potential Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing of Coalbed Methane Wells

• Completed Study (open for comment October 28, 2002)

Read and/or Print in PDF Format Below
Dowload Entire Study (90 MB Zip file)

• Executive Summary -this is the corrected version
• Cover
• Table of Contents
  • Chapter 1 - Introduction
  • Chapter 2 - Study Methodology
  • Chapter 3 - Characteristics
  • Chapter 4 - Hydraulic Fracturing Fluids
  • Chapter 5 - Summary of Coalbed Methane Basin Descriptions
  • Chapter 6 - Water Quality Incidents
  • Chapter 7 - Conclusions and Recommendations
• Appendices
  • Appendix A - Department of Energy - Hydraulic Fracturing White Paper
  • Appendix B - Quality Assurance Plan
• Glossary
• Master References
• Attachments
  • San Juan Basin
  • Black Warrior Basin
  • The Piceance Basin
  • The Uinta Basin
  • The Powder River Basin
  • The Central Appalachian Coal Basin
  • The Northern Appalachian Coal Basin
  • The Western Interior Basin
  • The Raton Basin
  • The Sand Wash Basin
  • The Pacific and Central Coal Region

• Study History

EPA invited the public to report to EPA known incidents of ground water contamination believed to be associated with hydraulic fracturing of CBM wells. As described in a July 30 Federal Register notice [( read online) ( PDF file)], comments were due to EPA by August 29, 2001.

Study Approach

• Draft Study Design (July 2000):   HTML  PDF
• Final Study Design (April, 2000)
• August 24, 2000 Public Meeting
  • Federal Register Meeting Announcement:  HTML
  • Meeting Summary and List of Attendees:  PDF

Safewater Home | About Our Office | Publications | Calendar | Links | Office of Water | En Español

EPA Home | Privacy and Security Notice | Contact Us