In 2015, Ohio University’s Voinovich School conducted a clean water test using 10 samples from injection well sites in Athens, Ohio. They tested for volatile organic compounds which, if found, could indicate oil and natural gas development was contaminating groundwater.

Researchers found zero systemic groundwater water contamination from oil and natural gas. As the Groundwater Protection Council’s executive director stated: “Ohio’s underground drinking water resources are safe.”

This isn’t the first study to test water for oil and natural gas contamination. In 2015, researchers at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Yale University, and Colorado State University all tested groundwater for any evidence of contamination from fracking.

The results are unanimous. All four reports have found no systemic evidence of groundwater contamination from the fracking process.

Strong regulations have ensured that groundwater is protected, especially here in Colorado. Here’s how:

• Fracking occurs more than 6,000 feet below groundwater.
• Colorado requires wells be built with steel casing and cement to protect groundwater.
• Colorado was the first state to require water sampling before and after drilling to ensure water safety.

Since then, over two-dozen studies have been published showing time and again that fracking does not contaminate groundwater. The facts are in and researchers make it clear: Fracking is safe.