Proposed TDS Regulations Approved
Washington PA Observer
Reporter
18 May 2010
The state Environmental Quality Board Monday approved new regulations
on natural gas drilling wastewater and other new wastewater sources to
protect the state's waterways from total dissolved solids.
The regulations are necessary to ensure drilling wastewater containing
high concentrations of TDS do not pollute drinking water supplies,
damage industrial equipment or endanger aquatic life, Environmental
Protection Secretary John Hanger said.
Several times during the last two years, TDS levels have exceeded the
federal drinking water standard of 500 milligrams per liter in the
Monongahela River.
The high levels led to complaints from drinking water customers about
foul-smelling water and damage to laundry. Industrial users also
complained of equipment damage caused by the polluted water.
High levels of TDS from coal mine discharges also were found to be a
contributing factor in the fish kill on Dunkard Creek last fall when
they created conditions for the growth and toxic bloom of Golden algae.
Under the new regulations, wastewater discharges from new and expanded
facilities must meet a concentration threshold of 2,000 milligrams per
liter. Wastewater discharges from drilling operations cannot exceed 500
milligrams per liter.
The lower standard was set for the drilling industry because drilling
wastewater is heavily polluted and because drillers have options other
than returning water to rivers and streams such as reusing and
recycling it or injecting it deep underground.
Several states now prohibit returning any drilling wastewater to
streams. The new regulations do not effect discharges from existing
facilities.
The new TDS rules will now be sent to the Environmental Resources and
Energy committees in the state House and Senate as well as to the
Independent Regulatory Review Commission for a 30-day review period.
The environmental quality board also approved proposed rules to
strengthen well construction standards and define a drilling company's
responsibility for responding to gas migration issues.
The new rules will require well operators to conduct quarterly
inspections of all wells and report the results to DEP.
The board also enhanced rules governing erosion, sediment control and
stormwater to protect streams from the effects of new development,
reduce localized flooding during heavy storms and cut sediment and
nutrient pollution.