EPA to support Wyoming in water quality examination programme

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that it will help Wyoming examine the quality of drinking water in the rural Pavillion area of the state.

The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) and the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (WOGCC) will examine certain domestic water wells, the integrity of certain oil and gas wells, and historic pits in the area east of Pavillion, Wyoming.

In 2009, residents complained of an unpleasant taste and odour in their well water, leading the EPA, the state of Wyoming and the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone Tribes to take samples in the area.

The water quality and palatability of 14 domestic water wells located in the Pavillion oil and natural gas field are set to be evaluated as part of the further investigation.

The WOGCC will also prepare a report concerning the status and reclamation of historic production pits in the Pavillion Field, and a report on the integrity of all oil and natural gas exploration and production wells within 1,320ft of the wells.

The WDEQ will evaluate and review the data, conclusions and recommendations specified in WOGCC’s well bore integrity and pits final reports.

The state of Wyoming is planning to conclude its investigation and release a final report by 30 September 2014.

Wyoming governor Matt Mead said that the EPA and US-based energy producer Encana are working with the state to determine a positive course for the water quality investigation.

"It is in everyone’s best interest, particularly the citizens who live outside of Pavillion, that Wyoming and the EPA reach an unbiased, scientifically supportable conclusion," he said.

"I commit that Wyoming will work in a thoughtful and productive manner as further investigation is initiated."

Encana announced a grant of $1.5m to the Wyoming Natural Resource Foundation for further investigation by the state.

EPA acting administrator Bob Perciasepe said: "In light of this announcement, we believe that EPA’s focus going forward should be on using our resources to support Wyoming’s efforts, which will build on EPA’s monitoring results.

"We applaud the leadership of Wyoming in conducting further investigation and assuring safe water and look forward to partnering with the state as it conducts its investigation."

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Image: The headquarters of the US Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, DC. Photo: courtesy of Coolcaesar.