Mistreated
Pennsylvania state records show the wastewater byproduct of the Marcellus Shale drilling could be emptied into rivers — enough to cover a full square mile with more than 8 inches of brine.
The Associated Press reports practices in Pennsylvania differ from those across the U.S., in which states require drillers to dump the wastewater in shafts.
The commonwealth, howeverm dumped 3.6 million of waste from Marcellus Shale were sent to treatment plants that empty into rivers. The wastewater contains metals like barium and strontium.
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.