Town Answers Resident Inquiries Regarding TCEQ Inspection of Wilson Gas Well Site

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Town Answers Resident Inquiries Regarding TCEQ Inspection of Wilson Gas Well Site

Town staff recently received inquiries regarding a recent air quality investigation conducted by the TCEQ at the Wilson Gas Well site, located on Scenic Drive. The TCEQ has not officially released final data related to the referenced inspection. The TCEQ utilizes a Toxic Vapor Analyzer (TVA) field instrument to determine if additional sampling is warranted based on their screening criteria. The TVA does not provide a detailed analysis of specific chemical compounds, it simply detects vapor concentrations. Interpretation of a TVA analysis is not utilized to determine air quality in relation to any particular compound.

If additional sampling is warranted based on a TVA field investigation, TCEQ will collect an additional air sample and conduct thorough analysis to determine if any chemical concentrations in the air exceed the established Air Monitoring Comparison Values (AMCVs). The AMCVs are levels set by the state to protect human health and welfare, whereas the levels detected by a TVA may indicate the need for further testing but do not necessarily indicate that a health screening level has been exceeded. Three recent ambient air evaluations conducted by the Town near the Wilson site have not resulted in concentrations that exceeded any AMCVs. The Town requests copies of any report or investigation conducted by the TCEQ and will receive an investigation summary and/or any air quality data collected at the site for the date in question. Official investigation reports and/or lab reports are also posted on the TCEQ webpage at http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/implementation/barnettshale/bshale-viewer. Operational issues identified at a gas well pad site that result in unacceptable air sample screening levels will be addressed by the TCEQ and the Town.

Posted 11/12/2010.