Of the many concerns with the possible hydraulic fracturing in the Taylorsville Basin, a major one is the protection of the freshwater aquifers that supply the residents, farmers and businesses of the tidewater region. In the paper, Hydraulic Fracture-Height Growth: Real Data, the authors suggest a safe separation distance of 600 meters between an aquifer and fracked wellbore. But these authors and others also recognize this “safe” distance can change depending on the unique properties of different geologic settings. I suggest that DMME require that in any hydraulic fracture operation, the location of the leading edge of the fractures be monitored in real time. And if the fracture is observed to be getting close to the aquifers, then the hydraulic fracture operation be stopped to protect the freshwater aquifers from any potential contamination.

1. http://www.academia.edu/6688184/SPE_145949_Hydraulic_Fracture-Height_Growth_Real_Data, Kevin Fisher and Norm Warpinski