Estimating Monthly Water Withdrawals, Return Flow, and Consumptive Use in the Great Lakes Basin

Shaffer, Kimberly H.; Stenback, Rosemary S.

doi:10.3133/ofr20101211

Cited by 2 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…55 Indirect consumptive water use and nonconsumptive water use for different economic sectors were distinguished using their corresponding water consumption coefficients obtained from various studies. 18,60−63 …”

Section: Approach and Data Sourcesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Life Cycle Water Consumption and Wastewater Generation Impacts of a Marcellus Shale Gas Well

Jiang

Hendrickson

VanBriesen

2014

Environ. Sci. Technol.

174

114

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This study estimates the life cycle water consumption and wastewater generation impacts of a Marcellus shale gas well from its construction to end of life. Direct water consumption at the well site was assessed by analysis of data from approximately 500 individual well completion reports collected in 2010 by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Indirect water consumption for supply chain production at each life cycle stage of the well was estimated using the economic input–output life cycle assessment (EIO-LCA) method. Life cycle direct and indirect water quality pollution impacts were assessed and compared using the tool for the reduction and assessment of chemical and other environmental impacts (TRACI). Wastewater treatment cost was proposed as an additional indicator for water quality pollution impacts from shale gas well wastewater. Four water management scenarios for Marcellus shale well wastewater were assessed: current conditions in Pennsylvania; complete discharge; direct reuse and desalination; and complete desalination. The results show that under the current conditions, an average Marcellus shale gas well consumes 20 000 m3 (with a range from 6700 to 33 000 m3) of freshwater per well over its life cycle excluding final gas utilization, with 65% direct water consumption at the well site and 35% indirect water consumption across the supply chain production. If all flowback and produced water is released into the environment without treatment, direct wastewater from a Marcellus shale gas well is estimated to have 300–3000 kg N-eq eutrophication potential, 900–23 000 kg 2,4D-eq freshwater ecotoxicity potential, 0–370 kg benzene-eq carcinogenic potential, and 2800–71 000 MT toluene-eq noncarcinogenic potential. The potential toxicity of the chemicals in the wastewater from the well site exceeds those associated with supply chain production, except for carcinogenic effects. If all the Marcellus shale well wastewater is treated to surface discharge standards by desalination, $59 000–270 000 per well would be required. The life cycle study results indicate that when gas end use is not considered hydraulic fracturing is the largest contributor to the life cycle water impacts of a Marcellus shale gas well.

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Section: Approach and Data Sourcesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Life Cycle Water Consumption and Wastewater Generation Impacts of a Marcellus Shale Gas Well

Jiang

Hendrickson

VanBriesen

2014

Environ. Sci. Technol.

174

114

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“…Consumptive uses ( CU i,k , l ) and return flows ( RF i,k , l ) are derived from withdrawals ( W i,k , l ) based on water use category i , source k , and point location l :

W_{i, k, l} = {C U}_{i, k, l} + {R F}_{i, k, l} = {c u}_{i} W_{i, k, l} + ((), 1 - {c u}_{i}) W_{i, k, l}

where cu i is the consumptive use coefficient for water use category i . Consumptive use coefficients for the seven water withdrawal sectors are taken from Shaffer and Runkle's [, ] publication on consumptive use coefficients for the Great Lakes region. Because consumptive use coefficients can vary widely within water use sectors, virtual water trades are calculated using median, lower, and upper values identified by Shaffer and Runkle [, ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Consumptive use coefficients for the seven water withdrawal sectors are taken from Shaffer and Runkle's [, ] publication on consumptive use coefficients for the Great Lakes region. Because consumptive use coefficients can vary widely within water use sectors, virtual water trades are calculated using median, lower, and upper values identified by Shaffer and Runkle [, ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Developing the greatest Blue Economy: Water productivity, fresh water depletion, and virtual water trade in the Great Lakes basin

2016

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The Great Lakes basin hosts the world's most abundant surface fresh water reserve. Historically an industrial and natural resource powerhouse, the region has suffered economic stagnation in recent decades. Meanwhile, growing water resource scarcity around the world is creating pressure on water-intensive human activities. This situation creates the potential for the Great Lakes region to sustainably utilize its relative water wealth for economic benefit. We combine economic production and trade datasets with water consumption data and models of surface water depletion in the region. We find that, on average, the current economy does not create significant impacts on surface waters, but there is some risk that unregulated large water uses can create environmental flow impacts if they are developed in the wrong locations. Water uses drawing on deep groundwater or the Great Lakes themselves are unlikely to create a significant depletion, and discharge of groundwater withdrawals to surface waters offsets most surface water depletion. This relative abundance of surface water means that science-based management of large water uses to avoid accidentally creating "hotspots" is likely to be successful in avoiding future impacts, even if water use is significantly increased. Commercial water uses are the most productive, with thermoelectric, mining, and agricultural water uses in the lowest tier of water productivity. Surprisingly for such a water-abundant economy, the region is a net importer of water-derived goods and services. This, combined with the abundance of surface water, suggests that the region's water-based economy has room to grow in the 21st century.

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Estimating Monthly Water Withdrawals, Return Flow, and Consumptive Use in the Great Lakes Basin

Cited by 2 publications

References 2 publications

Life Cycle Water Consumption and Wastewater Generation Impacts of a Marcellus Shale Gas Well

Life Cycle Water Consumption and Wastewater Generation Impacts of a Marcellus Shale Gas Well

Developing the greatest Blue Economy: Water productivity, fresh water depletion, and virtual water trade in the Great Lakes basin

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