To reduce the risk of surface contamination by this wastewater, New York will require that wastewater be stored in tanks rather than lined open pits. Final disposal options include treatment in capable publicly owned wastewater treatment plants, capable private facilities, or shipment out of state to be treated there, or disposal in underground injection wells.
Doubts remain about whether New York publicly owned wastewater treatment plants have the capacity to adequately treat wastewater. Careful regulation and adherence to regulation can reduce, but not eliminate the risks posed by wastewater from
Marcellus wells.