Siri Lawson and her husband reside on a picturesque piece of wooded land in Warren County, Pennsylvania, located in the state’s tranquil northwest region. In the summer months, the dirt roads in their area kick up dust clouds as cars pass by, while the winter weather brings icy conditions that make driving hazardous. To combat these issues, communities throughout Pennsylvania utilize de-icing and dust-suppressing fluids on their roads. However, in Lawson’s township, they were using oil and gas wastewater for dust control, despite the known risks associated with it.
Researchers have confirmed that oil and gas wastewater is not effective at controlling dust and can contain harmful chemicals and radioactive substances well above the federal drinking water limits. Although the practice was prohibited by Pennsylvania authorities over seven years ago, oil and gas companies have continued to dump this wastewater on roads due to a regulatory loophole. A recent review found that millions of gallons of wastewater were spread on Pennsylvania roads by these companies, with a large number of smaller drillers failing to report their waste disposal methods.
Lawson, who has experienced health issues she believes are linked to living near roads coated with wastewater, has lodged complaints with the DEP, but feels little action has been taken. Despite regulations banning the use of fracking wastewater for dust control, conventional drillers have found ways to evade these rules by obtaining coproduct status for their wastewater. This designation subjects their wastewater to less oversight, allowing them to dump it on roads without consequences.
The DEP has faced scrutiny for its handling of the situation, with accusations of endorsing wastewater dumping by including coproduct status in waste reports. Recent efforts by environmental activists and lawmakers to ban the practice have gained momentum, with conflicting legislation introduced to either legalize or prohibit the spraying of roads with wastewater. Public pressure has prompted the DEP to consider amending regulations related to coproduct status, reflecting a growing awareness of the dangers associated with oil and gas wastewater disposal on Pennsylvania roads.
