Portal:Water/Intro

Welcome to the water initiative of the Center for Media and Democracy, which includes a special focus on the threats to our rivers, watersheds, and fresh water supplies from drilling for shale oil and gas using the hydraulic fracturing or "fracking" technique, without adequate protections, in the Marcellus Shale region of the Northeastern U.S. and other states across the country.

What is hydraulic fracturing or "fracking"?

Hydraulic fracturing or “fracking” is a process used to extract deposits of gas and oil from shale. After a well is drilled, millions of gallons of water, sand and chemicals are injected under high pressures, which fractures the shale and allows for the release of the oil and gas. This is a new technique that allows access to shale deposits that were previously inaccessible through conventional drilling. This practice has become highly controversial over the past few years because of mounting evidence that it contaminates local water supplies and poses risks to the health of local residents and the environment.