The EPA accidentally released toxic sludge mine water into the Animus River in the State of Colorado, Friday, 7 August 2015. It was an accident. But it was an accident waiting to happen. The toxic substance was already there, from previous years of gold mining at the “Gold King Mine,” apparently its source.
It makes me think of fracking. Fracking continues to be defended as a supposedly safe and clean method for extracting precious oil deposits deep within subterranean rock beds. Fracking oil companies claim to be environmentally conscientious. Still, there can be no denying of the fact that this method produces serious wastewater; wastewater that must be contained over decades. Fracking requires the use of water, lots of it, turning good water into toxic wastewater. That’s just how it is.
WATER! WATER! WATER! One cannot stress enough the importance of water!
Just consider the effect of drought in regions around the world, including our own State of California. Yet, we continue to defend fracking—despite the fact that its very method necessitates the polluting of fresh water used in the process of fracking.
Because of our want of oil, we ignore the telltale signs. Nothing is full proof. Accidents will happen. And all it takes is one accident to cause great damage beyond its original source. We just won’t learn, will we?
Lead, arsenic, cadmium, copper, calcium, and other heavy metals contributed to the toxic wastewater that was released from the abandoned Gold King Mine. We know that fracking water also has toxic ingredients. But we don’t know what they all are. Fracking companies refuse to inform the public of the full ingredients, what fracking chemicals and toxic substances they put into the fracking water. All we know is that they definitely do put toxic stuff into this water that is bad for human consumption, such that the water becomes absolutely undrinkable! Do we even care about this?
Fracking businesses want less governmental oversight. They wish to block accountability legislation. They hope to avoid having to answer to local homeowners and communities that are directly affected by fracking activities. And when these fracking companies are done? What? They’ll simply move on, leaving behind the so-called “contained” toxic wastewater for future generations to cleanup. For, it is a sure bet that there will most certainly be unintentional and accidental spills, seepages, and leaks down the road. It’s a given!
Future news flash: “Toxic sludge fracking water was accidentally released into a once pristine water source. It was an accident. But it was an accident waiting to happen. The toxic substance was already there, from previous years of intense fracking. The water is no longer viable for life. It will take years to cleanup.”
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