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Main Product Categories *Drinking Water |
Welcome!
Seewald Labs provides independent, third-party chemical analysis to clients throughout the U.S. Naturally, we strive for precision and accuracy in all of the services we offer. It is part of our mission to uphold the ideals of strict objectivity and good science. As the field of analytical chemistry evolves, we are always working to present information which might be useful to our clients. Please feel free to contact us with any questions regarding the materials found here, or anything pertaining to environmental chemistry in general. We are a PADEP accredited laboratory. You may call us anytime at 570.326.4001 Click on the CONTACT INFO link at the top of this page for fax, or to send an email.
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Hydraulic Fracturing & Methane Gas
In the past several years, the various local media have presented information regarding natural gas exploration and the possible effects on privately owned drinking water wells. Seewald Labs provides background analyses which profile your well's current water quality, including detection of the presence of Methane (natural gas). Listed below are some of the recommended testing packages, as well as a table displaying a DRINKING WATER TEST GROUP comprised of many of the tests we offer at Seewald, listed-out separately with their respective prices. Information seminars have been conducted by the Penn State Co-operative Extension Services regarding well water quality and natural gas exploration. The Extension Service has published materials which include a discussion about gas well development, and which provide a certain degree of guidance for property owners. We have found these publications to be an excellent starting place for our clients, and encourage you to access them using the linksbelow:
http://www.cas.psu.edu
http://www.extension.psu.edu/base_nr&em.htm
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COMPARISON OF TEST PACKAGES FOR GAS WELLS RECOMMENDED IN THE PSU COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE PUBLICATION WATER FACTS, #28
(Each of these packages is available from SEEWALD LABS)
TIER III PACKAGE TIER II PACKAGE BASIC PACKAGE
ARSENIC ARSENIC
CHLORIDE CHLORIDE CHLORIDE
HARDNESS HARDNESS
OIL & GREASE
PH PH PH
TOTAL DISS. SOLIDS TOTAL DISS. SOLIDS TOTAL DISS. SOLIDS
VOC *
MBAS (surfactants)
SUSPENDED SOLIDS SUSPENDED SOLIDS
BARIUM BARIUM BARIUM
CALCIUM
IRON IRON
LEAD
MANGANESE MANGANESE
STRONTIUM
SODIUM
BACTERIA BACTERIA
METHANE/ETHANE
* VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (e.g. Benzene, Toluene, Xylene and similar compounds)
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SEEWALD DRINKING WATER TEST GROUP
Below is a set of parameters which we have assembled as a TEST GROUP. Alongside of each, we have provided a comparison between the amounts often found in gas well brine and the national limits for drinking water in the U.S., as well as a description of the environmental and health effects of the substances in each parameter. Based on the Regulations listed in the Pennsylvania state code, in order to establish a legally-defensible position of contamination, or alteration of your well's quality, the sample should be collected by a field technician employed with a PADEP accredited lab.
Water Quality Parameters | Gas Well Brine | Drinking Water Standard | Description |
| PH $ 10.00 | 5.51 | 6.5 to 8.5 | Low Ph water may cause corrosion of metal plumbing resulting in poor tasting water and high levels of metals |
| Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L) $ 15.00 | 229,526 | Less than 500 | Measures all of the dissolved materials in water. |
| Chloride (mg/L) $ 15.00 | 138,030 | Less than 250 | Can cause a salty taste to the water along with corrosion and blackening of metals. |
| Barium (mg/L) $ 15.00 | 1,170 | Less than 2.0 | May cause hypertension and other serious health affects. Has no obvious tastes, odors or stains in water. |
| Sodium (mg/L) $ 15.00 | 64,500 | No standard | High concentrations may be problematic for individuals on low sodium diets. |
| Iron (mg/L) $ 20.00 | 130 | Less than 0.30 | May cause orange or brown stains and metallic-tasting water. |
| MBAS $ 20.00 | 0.5 mg/L | Surfactant level (detergents or foaming agents) | |
| Sulfide (mg/L) $ 15.00 | NA | Less than 0.05 | Cause a strong rotten egg smell usually caused by Sulfate reducing bacteria which can appear as black staining |
| Strontium (mg/L) $ 15.00 | Similar concentration as Barium | No drinking water limit established | Similar effects as Barium. Causes no obvious taste, odors or stains in water. |
| Arsenic (mg/L) $ 20.00 | 2.10 | Less than 0.01 | May cause cancer and other serious health effects. Causes no obvious tastes, odors or stains in water. |
| Turbidity $ 15.00 | NA | 1.0 NTU | Causes cloudy water as a result of sediment |
| Bacteria $ 40.00 | NA | Negative Result | May cause gastrointestinal problems and other water-borne diseases. Causes no obvious tastes, odors or stains in water. |
| Methane $55.00 | NA | No standard for drinking water | Flammable. High Concentration in confined space could result in an explosion |
TOTAL TEST GROUP COST $270.00 **Derived from Penn State Cooperative Extension Water Facts Sheet, #28.
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Update: Recently, there has been documentation on local television and in local print media that gas well operators in Susquehanna County may have adversely affected neighboring drinking water wells. The compound found in theses wells was Methane gas. The PADEP has yet to determine if the compound's presence is related to gas well activity.
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We sincerely hope that our clients will find the information provided here to be helpful,
John Tobin
Laboratory Manager
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All Contents ©2006 Seewald Labs Inc.