If Nova Scotia lifts its moratorium on fracking, disposing of fracking wastewater will be a major environmental and regulatory challenge. Here are some possible disposal methods, along with their associated concerns:

Deep-Well Injection is a popular method in Alberta. This is where wastewater is injected deep underground into porous rock formations. However, this method method has been linked to induced seismic activity (earthquakes) and potential contamination of groundwater.

Jessica Ernst, a high-profile, Alberta-based environmental consultant, has released a comprehensive summary of science, facts and documents relating to groundwater contamination from the controversial practice of natural gas hydraulic fracturing (fracking).

The culmination of ten years of research, the 93-page report is sure to cause a stir with the energy sector and its critics. Groundwater contamination has been a key concern surrounding the booming fracking industry.^1.

Currently, Nova Scotia does not have approved deep-well disposal sites, and public opposition to this method is strong.

Feasibility in Nova Scotia:

• Geology Concerns: Nova Scotia lacks the deep, porous rock formations (like those in Alberta or Texas) that make deep-well injection viable.
• Seismic Risks: Studies have linked deep-well injection to earthquakes (e.g., in Oklahoma). Nova Scotia already has natural seismic activity, which could worsen.
• Regulatory Hurdles: There are no approved deep-well disposal sites in the province. Getting approval would be difficult given environmental concerns.
• Public Opposition: Many Nova Scotians oppose fracking, and deep-well injection would likely face strong resistance. 

Conclusion: Deep-well injection is unlikely to be a practical solution for Nova Scotia due to geology, regulation, and public opposition.

Recycling for Reuse might be another method for wastewater disposal. Wastewater is treated and reused for future fracking operations instead of being disposed of. It’s common in water-scarce areas like Texas, where companies recycle a high percentage of wastewater.

There are those who would suggest Nova Scotia has an ample supply of fresh water, but climate change is having an effect, where there has been frequent droughts since 2016.

Nova Scotia’s forest ecosystems will most likely be impacted by global warming with changes in growth rates, extent of the forest, carbon cycle relationships, species composition, and disturbance regimes (Environment Canada, 1999). Most effects of climate change will increase in magnitude as latitude increases (Harrington et al., 1991; Parker et al, 2000). |For reference|

Fracking wastewater contains high salinity, heavy metals, and chemicals that require specialized complex treatment. If fracking were only done on a small-scale, there may not be enough wastewater to justify large-scale recycling facilities.

Where would you build these facilities?

   1. Windsor Basin – Contains shale gas, but deposits are not well-explored.

   2. Cumberland Basin – Estimated to have major shale gas potential, but limited data is available.

   3. Annapolis-Cornwallis Basin – Some studies suggest viable shale gas formations.

There are three key formations with fracking potential, with the Cumberland basin on the other side of the Minas Basin. Sharing and re-using recycled wastewater could involve substantial costs in trucking from site to site.

A 2013 report from the Nova Scotia Department of Energy estimated 17 trillion cubic feet of shale gas in the province. However, only a small percentage of that gas may be economically recoverable due to geological conditions. For what could be a small return on the dollar, one has to wonder if fracking is economically feasible for Nova Scotia.

Evaporation and Crystallization is another method that might be deployed. Water is evaporated from wastewater, leaving behind solid waste (salts, heavy metals, and other residues). The solid waste is then disposed of in landfills. However, the amount of chemicals is very expensive and it requires a lot of energy that could release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. There would have to be a lot of government regulations in place and training for those involved, on how to handle a toxic soup.

The provincial and federal government still hasn’t come to terms with The Northern Pulp Boat Harbour cleanup plan. The mill has been closed for years. The clean up was supposed to start in 2021, and they’re still fighting over it.

The good news is, if we have to wait for governments to get setup for wastewater disposal by evaporation and crystallization, there may be no need to frack anymore.

Treatment at Municipal or Industrial Wastewater Facilities is always an option except facilities in Nova Scotia are not equipped to handle the high salinity and chemical complexity of fracking wastewater. The province previously struggled with treating wastewater from exploratory wells using this method, as documented here. In the end, the idea was rejected and the fracking wastewater was sent to LaFarge to be processed through the Kiln.

This treatment is often referred to as Electrocoagulation & Advanced Filtration, but regardless of what it’s called, Nova Scotia failed trying to implement it.

Exporting to other provinces is another method Nova Scotia explored ten years ago. However, no other provinces would agree to take it.

There are other economic and infrastructure challenges such as exploration costs. Extensive drilling and seismic testing are needed to confirm economically viable deposits. And, unlike Alberta, Nova Scotia lacks a well-developed pipeline network, making transportation costly.

So far, we only have a relatively small local market for natural gas and to export gas, would require major infrastructure investments. They could later become known as stranded assets, that would never pay for themselves and leave a large debt on the shoulders for future generations of taxpayers.

While there is gas potential, no detailed studies confirm large-scale economic viability. High costs & regulatory uncertainty discourages investment. Without strong export options or a local processing industry, profitability is questionable.

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1. Water Contamination from Fracking: Jessica Ernst Releases Groundbreaking Report, commonsensecanadian.ca, June 20, 2013