Horizontal Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking)

Teklab provides expert baseline water quality assessments for fracking, protecting groundwater resources and ensuring regulatory compliance with accurate, reliable data.

Baseline Water Quality Assessment

Protecting Groundwater Resources Before, During, and After Fracking

As the oil and gas industry continues to expand, many deposits are slated for horizontal hydraulic fracturing (fracking) operations. While these reservoirs are often located at significant depths, the drilling process invariably intersects with groundwater aquifers. To safeguard the integrity of these vital water resources in areas where hydraulic fracturing is planned, comprehensive baseline water quality assessments are essential. Teklab, Inc. provides accurate, reliable, and legally-defensible baseline water quality assessments.

💧Importance of Water Quality Monitoring:

Pre-Operation Baseline: Establishing water quality parameters prior to drilling activities provides a crucial reference point.
Ongoing Monitoring: Continuous assessment during extraction operations allows for real-time detection of potential impacts.
Post-Operation Evaluation: Analysis after the completion of oil and gas activities helps identify any long-term effects on water quality.
Regulatory Compliance: Many states mandate water quality testing as a prerequisite for obtaining permits related to various phases of oil and gas extraction.

Teklab is committed to helping our clients comply with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.

Why is a Baseline Water Quality Assessment Crucial?

A comprehensive baseline water quality assessment is a critical first step in responsible hydraulic fracturing operations. It provides a scientifically sound foundation for:

Protecting Groundwater Resources: Establishing a baseline allows for the detection of any changes in water quality that may occur after fracking operations begin.
Ensuring Regulatory Compliance: Many jurisdictions require baseline water quality assessments as part of the permitting process for hydraulic fracturing.
Minimizing Environmental Liability: By documenting pre-existing conditions, you can protect yourself from unwarranted claims of contamination.
Building Public Trust: Demonstrating a commitment to environmental stewardship can help build trust with local communities.
Optimizing Monitoring Programs: Baseline data helps to design effective and targeted post-fracking monitoring programs.

📢Without a baseline assessment, it is impossible to definitively determine whether any changes in water quality are due to fracking operations or pre-existing conditions.

Teklab’s Comprehensive Baseline Assessment Services

💡Teklab offers a complete suite of services to support your baseline water quality assessment needs:

Sampling Plan Development: We work with you to develop a customized sampling plan that meets your specific needs and regulatory requirements. This includes identifying appropriate sampling locations, frequencies, and parameters.
Sample Collection: Our experienced field technicians collect water samples using industry-best practices to ensure the integrity and representativeness of the samples.
Laboratory Analysis: Our certified laboratory performs a wide range of analyses to characterize the water quality, including inorganic constituents, organic compounds, and microbiological parameters.
Data Validation and Reporting: We carefully validate the analytical data and prepare a comprehensive report that summarizes the findings and compares them to applicable water quality standards.
Statistical Analysis: We can perform statistical analysis of the baseline data to identify any trends or patterns that may be relevant to future monitoring efforts.
Expert Consultation: Our team of environmental scientists and hydrogeologists can provide expert consultation on all aspects of the baseline assessment process, from planning to interpretation of results.

Standard Water Quality Parameters:

🧪Our laboratory conducts thorough analyses of the following key parameters:

Dissolved Methane: Sample: 40 ml vial preserved with HCl. Significance: Indicator of potential gas migration.
BTEX (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, Xylenes): Sample: Two 40 ml vials preserved with HCl. Significance: Volatile organic compounds associated with petroleum products.
General Chemistry Panel: Sample: One liter plastic container. Parameters: pH, Alkalinity, Specific Conductance, Total Dissolved Solids, Chloride, Sulfate, Nitrite. Significance: Provides overall water quality profile and potential indicators of contamination.
Nitrate: Sample: 250 ml plastic container preserved with H2SO4. Significance: Important nutrient that can indicate surface contamination.
Metals Panel: Sample: 250 ml plastic container preserved with HNO3. Elements Analyzed: Arsenic, Barium, Calcium, Chromium, Iron, Magnesium, Selenium, Cadmium, Lead, Manganese, Mercury, and Silver. Significance: Detects potential heavy metal contamination and changes in mineral composition.

These comprehensive analyses enable stakeholders to establish a robust water quality baseline, monitor changes during extraction, assess post-operation environmental impacts, and ensure regulatory compliance.

📌We have new state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and an experienced team of analysts that are committed to providing accurate, timely, and actionable data to support responsible resource extraction— while protecting vital groundwater resources. Contact us today to discuss your baseline water quality assessment needs and receive a customized proposal.
Our team of experts is ready to help you protect groundwater resources and ensure the responsible development of oil and gas resources.

NELAP Accredited Testing

Teklab adheres to strict guidelines and standards to participate in the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP). We warmly invite both current and prospective clients to visit our facility, meet with a project manager, or review our Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

We believe that a great business starts with a passion for perfection and outstanding customer service. To uphold this standard, we consistently train our chemists and analysts to maintain peak efficiency. While our customers are a top priority, the safety and well-being of our employees always come first.

With over 43 years of experience in the environmental testing industry, our mission is to deliver reliable, accurate results promptly. Learn more about our commitment to excellence by exploring our mission statement.

Teklab, Inc. stands as a recognized industry expert in environmental analysis, providing comprehensive and reliable testing services to a diverse range of clients. Our expertise is built upon a foundation of rigorous scientific principles, a commitment to quality, and a deep understanding of environmental regulations. We routinely perform complex testing using a wide array of internationally recognized and standardized methods, including but not limited to those established by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), ASTM International, TNI (The National Institute), ISO (International Organization for Standardization).

What truly sets Teklab apart is the integration of these established methodologies with our meticulously developed and continuously refined internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). These SOPs are not merely procedural documents; they represent a distillation of years of experience, best practices, and a relentless pursuit of accuracy and precision. Our internal SOPs provide detailed, step-by-step guidance for every aspect of the testing process, from sample collection and handling to instrument calibration and data validation.

This synergistic approach – combining internationally recognized methods with our proprietary SOPs – ensures that our clients receive data of the highest quality and defensibility. It allows us to:

Maintain Unwavering Accuracy: Our SOPs incorporate stringent quality control measures to minimize errors and ensure the reliability of our results.
Enhance Reproducibility: Detailed procedures ensure that our testing methods are consistently applied, regardless of the analyst performing the work.
Optimize Efficiency: Streamlined workflows and standardized processes enable us to deliver timely results without compromising quality.
Adapt to Evolving Regulations: We continuously update our SOPs to reflect the latest regulatory changes and advancements in analytical techniques.
Provide Legally Defensible Data: Our rigorous quality control procedures and comprehensive documentation ensure that our data can withstand scrutiny in legal proceedings.

Teklab’s commitment to excellence extends beyond the laboratory. Our team of experienced environmental scientists and analysts are dedicated to providing exceptional customer service, offering expert guidance and support throughout the testing process. We understand the importance of clear communication and timely reporting, and we work closely with our clients to ensure that their needs are met.

When you choose Teklab, you are choosing a partner who is committed to providing you with the highest quality environmental analysis services, backed by a proven track record of accuracy, reliability, and regulatory compliance. We are more than just a testing laboratory; we are your trusted resource for environmental data and insights.

📞Call us Toll Free at (877) 344-1003 or email John Riley for a price quote to receive these services without hassle or obligation. We can send you a sampling kit today.

Specialty Testing Services

Hazardous Waste

Here at Teklab, one of the services we offer clients is expert guidance in determining whether your waste materials meet the criteria for disposal at local landfill sites.

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

Teklab can set up a specific program for each facility based on your POTW or NPDES permit. And our Laboratory Information System (LIMs) can notify you each time a regulatory limit is exceeded; allowing prompt action to correct any problems.

Wastewater/NPDES Testing

As a NELAP Accredited Environmental Testing Laboratory with an experienced project management team, Teklab has an in-depth understanding of NPDES testing complexities. We serve diverse industries including manufacturing, engineering, and municipalities.