Law360, New York ( April 7, 2015, 10:55 AM EDT) -- Pre-drill water quality testing has emerged as an important issue in the use of hydraulic fracturing in oil and gas operations in the U.S. Pre-drill testing involves the testing of water in landowner water wells or from springs (typically shallow groundwater, but sometimes surface water) near oil and natural gas well pads prior to commencing drilling activities. Data concerning background water quality in the vicinity of a natural gas well either may not exist or could become the subject of competing expert opinions. Pre-drill testing thus establishes baseline water quality conditions for a specific water supply prior to drilling, well completion and production activities. The pre-drill sample then serves as an important reference point to compare to post-drilling water quality in evaluating whether fracking has impacted water quality....