The federal government has warned some Wyoming not to drink their water, and to use fans and ventilation when showering or washing clothes in order to avoid the risk of an explosion.
The announcement followed results from testing and analysis in the town of Pavillion, which has extensive natural gas development. Researchers found benzene, metals, naphthalene, phenols and methane in wells and in groundwater.
According to Pro Publica:
“EnCana, the oil and gas company that owns most of the wells near Pavillion, has agreed to contribute to the cost of supplying residents with drinking water, even though the company has not accepted responsibility for the contamination.”