Tests Show Treated Hydraulic Fracturing Water Safe to Dispose

Tests show treated hydraulic fracturing wastewater at Atlantic Industrial Services in Debert meets Health Canada and the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment guidelines to be release into water.

Environment Minister Randy Delorey shared the results with the community at an evening meeting in Truro on Thursday, Jan. 30, and assured people that while the wastewater is safe for disposal, no action will be taken until the department gives final approval.

"The tests, which were carried out by independent and accredited labs, show that the wastewater poses a minimal risk to the health of Nova Scotians and our environment," said Mr. Delorey. "As an added precaution, we are exploring other testing options which we will share with the community."

Tests were carried out at Becquerel and Saskatchewan Research Council labs for naturally occurring radioactive materials. The water was also tested for sodium chloride and general chemistry at Maxxam Analytics in Halifax, and for proprietary chemicals at Precision Petroleum Labs Inc., in Houston.

Summary documents and full test results are available at www.novascotia.ca/nse/pollutionprevention/pubs.asp .