&EPA
www.epa.gov/research
science in ACTION
INNOVATIVE RESEARCH FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
EPA ANNOUNCES FINAL STUDY PLAN TO ASSESS
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
Congressionally Directed Study Will Evaluate
Potential Impacts on Drinking Water
On November 3, 2011, EPA announced its final
research plan on hydraulic fracturing. At the request
of Congress, EPA is working to better understand
potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking
water resources.
In March 2010, EPA announced its intention to
conduct the study in response to a request from
Congress. Since then, the agency has held a series of
public meetings across the nation to receive input
from states, industry, environmental and public
health groups, and individual citizens. In addition, the
study was reviewed by the Science Advisory Board
(SAB), an independent panel of scientists, to ensure
the agency conducted the research using a
scientifically sound approach.
The final study plan looks at the full cycle of water in
hydraulic fracturing, from the acquisition of the
water, through the mixing of chemicals and actual
fracturing, to the post-fracturing stage, including the
management of flowback and produced or used water
as well as its ultimate treatment and disposal.
The initial research results and study findings will be
released to the public in 2012. The final report will be
delivered in 2014.
Hydraulic fracturing operation.

EPA/WQ/R-11/122/Nomnber J011/www.epagov/hydrsulicfriclufiing
SEPA


Plan to Study the Potential

Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing

on Drinking Water Resources
Plan to Study the Potential Impacts of
Hydraulic Fracturing on Drinking Water
Resources:
http ://water. epa. gov/tvpe/ groundwater/uic/class2
/hvdraulicfracturing/upload/FINAL-STUDY-
PLAN-HF Web 2.pdf
EPA's Study of Hydraulic Fracturing and Its
Potential Impact on Drinking Water
Resources:
http://www.epa.gov/hfstudv/
Natural Gas Extraction — Hydraulic
Fracturing:
http://www.epa.gov/hydraulicfracturing/
CONTACT: Jeanne Brisk in. Office of Research
and Development, 202-564-4583,
briskin.jeanne@epa.gov, www.epa.gov/research
1
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Research and Development

-------