The Yale WATER Study in Appalachia

The goal of The Yale WATER Study is to understand the impacts (if any) of unconventional oil and gas development on drinking-water quality in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia while evaluating other factors that may influence drinking water chemistry in these locations.

What are the study elements?

Data collection: analyzing water samples to characterize the chemistry of household drinking water.

Hydrologic modeling: simulating the movement of chemicals through groundwater systems to understand how natural processes, industrial activities, and other human activities could affect drinking-water quality now and in the future.

Epidemiological analysis: exploring relationships between indicators of drinking-water quality and the health of children, while accounting for other factors.

What are we doing now?

Sample and data analysis are underway. In the fall of 2020, we collected water from homes in Wetzel County and surrounding areas in West Virginia. In summer 2019, we collected drinking water from homes in Belmont and Monroe Counties in Ohio, and surrounding areas. In summer 2018, we collected water in Bradford County, Pennsylvania.

What's on tap (so to speak)?

All water sampling for this study is complete. Sample and data analysis are underway.