Study: Fracking Doesn't Contaminate Water

A new study found that fracking does not contaminate groundwater near the drilling site.

The fracking process pumps pressurized chemicals and water deep underground to fracture shale and release natural gas.

Critics claimed fracking had tainted groundwater in parts of Pennsylvania and Texas, but the study found the procedure was not the source of the contamination.

The new study by researchers from five universities found the contamination was caused by problems with pipes and seals in the natural gas wells.

"We found the evidence suggested that fracking was not to blame, that it was actually a well integrity issue," the study's lead author, Ohio State University geochemist Thomas Darrah, said.

In other words, damaged drilling wells were the source of gas that leaked into the water.

Darrah said that's good news because that type of contamination problem is easier to fix and more preventable.

The Proceedings of the Natural Academy of Sciences published the study on Monday.