Toxic chemicals on tap

In late 2007, three families near Grandview noticed significant changes in their well water. First it ran dry, and then the water returned with extremely high pressure, blowing out pipes. Within days, five goats and a llama had died. All three families noticed strong sulfur smells in their water, which became unusable. Showering caused skin irritation. The Texas Railroad Commission (TRC) acknowledged that testing of well water found toluene and other contaminants.

All of this occurred because of a new and dangerous form of drilling for natural gas taking place nearby: hydraulic fracturing, which uses more than 260 types of chemicals, many of them toxic. With new technology and government incentives spurring a move to expand hydraulic fracturing in Texas, Environment Texas Research & Policy Center released "Toxic Chemicals on Tap," a thorough examination of the growing threat to our waterways. The report also recommends solutions, including an end to the drilling's exemption from the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Promising new EPA chief for Texas

Environment Texas applauded the Obama administration's choice of Dr. Al Armendariz to lead Region 6 of the Environmental Protection Agency, which includes Texas, as well as Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico and Oklahoma. Armendariz, an engineering professor at Southern Methodist University, has worked with citizens' groups and has published dozens of studies on myriad environmental issues throughout his career.

"We are thrilled with Dr. Armendariz's appointment," said Luke Metzger, Director of Environment Texas. "After eight years of the Bush EPA, it's a new day for Texas' environment. Move over, polluter lobbyists--science and human health are in charge now."