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Ranchers Frustrated By Water Spills from Oil Fields

Overflow from fracking ponds in oil fields have become a problem from neighboring ranchers who discover that there is no clear regulation for the problem.

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Vantage Energy on June 1, 2015 resumed hydraulic operations on a pad site on the western outskirts of Denton. It was the first company to frack within city limits after the Texas Legislature overturned the Denton’s ban on the process.
Credit: Cooper Neill

Overflow from fracking ponds — those used in hydraulic fracking — in oil fields have become a problem from neighboring ranchers who discover that there is no clear regulation for the problem, which is showing up in the Eagle Ford Shale region. Companies are required to report oil spills of more than five barrels to the Texas Railroad Commission, but only releases of fresh or brackish water that contain at least that much oil in it fall under regulation. (Houston Chronicle)

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