Leave fracking waste in the fields

The New Mexico Environment Department is proposing a water reuse rule that would include fracking waste, with a hearing scheduled May 13. I oppose the rule as written. Please read more at DefendNMwater.org. Fracking waste should only be reused in the oil and gas industry. First, water used by industry includes chemical additives, and their secret sauce is proprietary. The “flowback” resulting from fracking is commonly called produced water. It is very difficult and costly to analyze the fracking waste if you do not know what you are looking for. The Water Quality Control Commission should require full disclosure of fracking chemicals.

Second, there are risks from upset breakdowns or operator error. This is where equipment malfunctions or the operator forgets or fails to do something. That can cause pollution and contamination. Third, naturally occurring radioactive material is deep underground and can flow back up when used in fracking. Most “treatment” facilities cannot and do not filter out the radioactivity, and that’s dangerous. Therefore, produced water should not be used for agricultural use or industrial processes. The Water Quality Control Commission should adopt a rule that prohibits discharge, disposal and reuse of produced water outside the oil and gas fields.

Norman Norvelle Farmington