Signed by Governor Brown in 2013, Senate Bill 4 (SB 4) amended the public resources and water codes relating to oil and gas well stimulation activities. Well stimulation activities as defined in SB 4 includes hydraulic fracturing, acid fracturing, and acid matrix stimulation. This legislation set in place requirements for oil and gas operators, the Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources, the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board), Regional Water Quality Control Boards (Regional Water Boards), to implement when performing or permitting well stimulation treatments. As required by SB 4, the State Water Board developed model criteria for groundwater monitoring (Model Criteria) related to well stimulation activities. The Model criteria were adopted on July 7, 2015 (Water Board Resolution No. 2015-0047), and describe how groundwater will be sampled and tested during monitoring conducted by oil and gas operators, and regional monitoring conducted by the State Water Board. Operators are now required to submit groundwater monitoring plans, to the State Water Board, in coordination with the appropriate Regional Water Board, for approval prior to well stimulation activities. The regional monitoring program, overseen by the State Water Board, will assess any potential negative effects that well stimulation and related activities may have on groundwater quality. Access to safe drinking water is a major issue for California, especially to its disadvantaged communities. The Model Criteria is critical in meeting the state law requiring that every human being have the right to safe, clean, affordable, and accessible water.

Water board's implementation of Senate Bill 4 requirements

251st National Meeting (2016)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.