Attitudes, Perceptions and Geo-Spatial Analysis of Water Quality and Individual Health Status in a High-Fracking Region

Abstract

The expansion of unconventional oil and gas development (UD) across the US continues to be at the center of debates regarding safety to health and the environment. This study evaluated the water quality of private water wells in the Eagle Ford Shale within the context of community members perception. Community members (n=75) were surveyed regarding health status and perceptions of drinking water quality. Water samples (n=19) were collected from private wells and tested for a variety of water quality parameters. Of the private wells sampled, 8 had exceedences of MCLs for drinking water standards. Geospatial analysis showed the majority of well owners who did have exceedances self-reported their health status as poor. Surveys showed that the majority of respondents received their water from a municipal source and were significantly more distrustful of their water source than of those on private wells. The data also showed a high number of people self-reporting health problems without a healthcare provider’s diagnosis. Attitudes and perceptions of water quality play an important role in the overall perceived health status of community members in high fracking regions, stressing the importance of transparency and communication by the UD industry.