The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) investigated the water quality of seven residential wells surrounding the Chesapeake ATGAS 2H natural gas well site in Leroy Township, Bradford County, Pa., at the request of the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) following a well blowout. ATSDR found that several wells had elevated levels of salts and other chemicals, according to a report released today. While it is unclear how the wells were contaminated, the available data suggest to ATSDR that one well was impacted by natural gas activities. The data from the other six wells did not suggest impact from natural gas activities.

ATSDR evaluated groundwater data from the wells after a well head, the structure at the surface of an oil or gas well, failed and released fluids and combustible gases. The gases, including methane, escaped into the atmosphere. Initially, the vapors posed a risk for an explosion; however, after Chesapeake Energy Corporation stabilized the well (about five days after the release), the explosive vapor levels were no longer detected.

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