**Cross Posted on all EID platforms**

EID Marcellus

For those not aware, the town of Dimock, Pennsylvania has become a proverbial lightning rod in the ongoing efforts of some to disparage natural gas production at every turn.  Featured in Gasland, and just about every other anti-natural gas development effort, the story some would have you believe is that the water there was “ruined” and is not safe to drink.  Well, if water tests from the producer and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection weren’t evidence enough, now the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has gotten involved, essentially confirming earlier findings that contested water wells in the area pose no threat to human health.  Our team at EID-Northeast Marcellus Initiative recieved an  email from some our friends in Dimock thatsent to them by EPA Region 3 Community Involvement Coordinator Trish Taylor.  The email indicates that EPA’s review has found it does not pose a threat to human health. Text of this correspondence is below.

Dear Dimock Residents,

This email is a follow-up to the visits to Dimock area homes by EPA on November 10, 2011 and the subsequent review of well sampling data for wells impacted by the Cabot Oil and Gas Company drilling activities.   EPA has conducted a preliminary review and screening of the data provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and residents.  While we are continuing our review, to date, the data does not indicate that the well water presents an immediate health threat to users.   EPA will continue to review available information related to the concerns of Dimock area residents.  We are continuing to work with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania going forward on this issue.

Please feel free to call me or David Polish, Community Involvement Coordinator, at (215) 814-3327, if you have further questions.

Sincerely,

Trish Taylor, Community Involvement Coordinator

Hazardous Site Cleanup Division (Mailcode 3HS52)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 3

1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA., 19103

phone: (215) 814 – 5539

fax: (215) 814 – 3015