Dave Quast: Fracking actually providing water for farmers

Re “How much water does fracking use?” (Letters, June 29): All of California’s annual fracking accounts for 0.00062 percent of the state’s annual freshwater withdrawals. This is equivalent to the water used by a single golf course. In fact, an average fracking job uses one-fifth the amount of water in an Olympic-sized pool.

It’s also important to note that scientists and regulators have been clear: after more than 60 years and over 1.2 million hydraulic fracturing jobs there has not been a demonstrated case of drinking water contamination as a result of the fracking in California, or elsewhere.

Oil production in California is mostly water production. According to the California Department of Conversation, the production of a barrel of oil from deep underground results in the production of an average of 15 barrels of water.

Water extracted as a part of oil production is treated and recycled for energy production and agriculture. This program, which provides 10 billion gallons of water annually, has been a lifeline for farmers trying to keep their crops alive.

Despite misinformation by anti-oil activists, hydraulic fracturing uses relatively little water when compared to other uses and, in fact, is helping California during the drought.

This story was originally published June 29, 2015 at 12:57 PM with the headline "Dave Quast: Fracking actually providing water for farmers."