Unconventional gas exploitation in Germany – some water related considerations

A serious conflict of interest has evolved from some special explorations of fossil energy carriers on the one hand and water protection and drinking water supply on the other. A way out of this dilemma may be seen in a systematic view, circumspective planning and critical assessment of the technical facts and potential. The paper focuses on hyraulic fracturing (fracking), the unconventional methane e. g. shale gas exploitation and deals with the aspects of its water usage and the impact on aquatic systems and drinking water. Topics are technical principle of fracking and the fracking fluids, the assessment of their constituents, the formation waters and the possibilities of their treatment and disposal, problems derived from leakages and other risks, and finally conclusions and the recommendations to treat water protection and environmental issues with highest priority, to close the gap of knowledge on the exploitation of hydrogeological systems e. g. by developing and applying powerful monitoring tools, and to accompany the whole planning and investigation of fracking in a transparent and interactive way for all the administrations and stakeholders concerned.