Baseline Water Testing Initiative Moves to Formal Comment Period

The Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission published the draft rule Friday  and will take public comments until October 7. The rule requires oil and gas operators to test existing water sources before and after drilling an oil or gas well.

Governor Mead said "the proposal to require baseline water testing strikes the right balance for Wyoming. It supports a robust energy sector and it enhances our protection of groundwater - an important natural resource.”

Landowners must give consent for operators to sample the permitted or adjudicated water sources. These sources include domestic, stock, industrial, irrigation, municipal or other permitted uses of water. The sampling would occur before a well is drilled and after production begins. Those results would not create a presumption of or against liability or fault. Liability is determined by an investigation and or a court of law.

A public meeting on the rule will take place on October 15th in Casper.