Groundwater protection for unconventional oil and gas extraction

Water UK's members are committed to delivering high quality drinking water that meets standards set within the Drinking Water Directive and providing wholesome water at all times. Delivering these objectives includes ensuring good quality source waters - groundwater or surface waters.

Water UK considers that a risk-based approach should be taken to the protection of groundwater resources whereby risks are identified and assessed, and then appropriate, measured actions taken to mitigate the impacts on the environment and public health. This approach enables protection measures to be developed in the most sensitive areas whilst still allowing carefully managed industrial practices to take place safely.