2 PA Water Companies to Test for Radiation

Amid a public outcry and continuing negative publicity the gas industry has received, two Pennsylvania water companies have taken the initiative to test for radiation in water supplies.

Currently, such tests are not conducted at water treatment facilities, and some scientists say the water treatment process is not able to properly filter radiation from the water – water which is treated and then dumped into rivers and streams, many of which provide drinking water for Pennsylvanians.

The process of hydraulic fracturing in the Marcellus Shale releases radium, which is then brought to the surface with the pullback of ‘fracking’ water. Some of that water is reused by the industry, but much of it makes it way to the treatment facilities.

In the second half of 2010, at least 2.8 million gallons of tainted and possibly radioactive waste water was sent to treatment facilities for processing.

The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority and Pennsylvania American Water Company both say they expect tests for radiation to be conducted in the coming weeks.