The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an emergency order after chemical components of natural gas were found in drinking water in the area of Parker County. The federal agency issued an order under the Safe Drinking Water Act requiring the drilling company it deemed responsible, Range Production Co., to identify the source of the leak and to provide two homeowners whose wells are contaminated with potable drinking water. The Texas Railroad Commission is still investigating who is responsible and whether the procedure popularly known as fracking caused the natural gas to leak into the water supply. Some individuals have told media sources they believe the pollution might come from much shallower formations than the deep Barnett Shale and is caused by older, long-abandoned gas wells.
The Railroad Commission staff has set for hearing the complaint publicized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding residential water wells in Parker County. In the administrative law process at the Commission, staff examiners conduct hearings and then issue a Proposal for Decision (PFD), which is decided by the three statewide elected Commissioners as a final action. The hearing date will be Jan. 10, 2011.