Fracking must not endanger health, warns water industry

The announcement from Water UK came ahead of today’s revelation by chancellor George Osborne that shale gas exploration in Britain is to be encouraged with a proposed 30 per cent tax on a company’s production income.

The regime, down from 62 per cent, is intended to support the industry in its early stages when costs are likely to be higher and risks of unsuccessful exploration are greater

Speaking ahead of Osborne’s statement Dr Jim Marshall, policy and business adviser at Water UK said, ‘Provision of drinking water is a cornerstone of our public health and as such a service that cannot be compromised.

‘There are arguments for and against fracking and the water industry is not taking sides. If it goes ahead, we want to ensure corners are not cut and standards compromised, leaving us all counting the cost for years to come.

‘We want greater clarity from the shale gas industry on what its needs related to water are really going to be and a true assessment of the impacts. This can be done through much closer working and understanding between water companies and the shale gas industry to tackle the many challenges we collectively face.’