Where in the world is freshwater not permitted for fracking?

Freshwater use in fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a contentious issue due to the significant volumes of water required and the potential for contamination. While many regions have banned or restricted fracking altogether, specific prohibitions on using freshwater for fracking are less commonly documented in global policies. Based on the available information, there are a few areas where restrictions or concerns about freshwater use in fracking are explicitly noted, though outright bans on freshwater use specifically (as opposed to fracking in general) are rare.

Regions with Restrictions or Concerns on Freshwater Use in Fracking

• British Columbia, Canada: In British Columbia, the oil and gas industry is permitted to extract freshwater for fracking, but there are significant concerns about the practice. Reports highlight that the industry can contaminate freshwater and dispose of it untreated into disposal wells, permanently removing it from the water cycle. There is no outright ban on using freshwater for fracking, but advocacy groups are pushing for stricter regulations, including treatment and reuse of wastewater to reduce freshwater demand, and charging higher prices for water to encourage conservation. The scale of water use is notable, with potential increases to 10.4 billion liters per year if proposed liquefied natural gas terminals are completed6.

Broader Context of Fracking Bans

While specific bans on freshwater use for fracking are not widely detailed in the provided data, many regions have banned fracking entirely, which implicitly prohibits the use of freshwater for this purpose. Here are some key areas where fracking is prohibited:

• France: Banned hydraulic fracturing since 2011 due to environmental and health risks123458111213.

• Ireland: Fracking is banned onshore and in internal waters since 201712712.

• Germany: Implemented a ban on fracking in 2016, with some exceptions, due to environmental concerns2345111213.

• Bulgaria: Banned fracking in 2012235813.

• Scotland: An indefinite moratorium on fracking has been in place since 2017, following a temporary ban in 2015471114.

• Victoria, Australia: A permanent ban on fracking was legislated in 2017, following a moratorium since 20123711.

• Certain U.S. States: States like Vermont (2012), Maryland (2017), Oregon (2019), Washington (2019), and regions like the Delaware River Basin (under review) have banned fracking, which includes any use of freshwater for the process5814.

• Certain Canadian Provinces: New Brunswick and Quebec (specifically for shale gas) have banned fracking, while other regions like Nova Scotia and Yukon Territory have moratoriums or restrictions51014.

Conclusion

There is no widespread, explicit global ban on using freshwater specifically for fracking highlighted in the search results, except for the noted concerns and calls for regulation in British Columbia, Canada. However, in regions where fracking is entirely prohibited, such as France, Ireland, Germany, and others listed above, the use of freshwater for fracking is effectively not permitted as a result of the broader ban on the practice. For areas still allowing fracking, like parts of Canada and the U.S., freshwater use remains a significant environmental concern, often without specific prohibitions unless tied to broader moratoriums or bans. If you are looking for a specific country or region not covered here, further localized research may be needed to identify explicit freshwater restrictions.

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fracking_by_country
2. https://sgkplanet.com/en/in-which-countries-is-fracking-prohibited/
3. https://www.petro-online.com/news/measurement-and-testing/14/breaking-news/who-has-banned-fracking/40182
4. https://www.onegreenplanet.org/environment/countries-except-united-states-that-have-banned-fracking/
5. https://gnhre.org/?p=10555
6. https://stand.earth/resources/fracking-with-freshwater/
7. https://earthlawyers.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/APPENDIX-2-Legal-Status-of-UOGE-across-the-world-31.03.18.pdf
8. https://aida-americas.org/en/stopping-spread-fracking-latin-america?page=10
9. https://ecojustice.ca/news/what-is-fracking-and-why-is-it-concerning/
10. https://thenarwhal.ca/what-is-fracking-in-canada/
11. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-14432401
12. https://theconversation.com/fracking-and-poorer-surface-water-quality-link-established-new-research-166692
13. https://www.investigate-europe.eu/posts/europes-energy-crisis-is-reviving-the-fracking-industry
14. https://www.waterdocs.ca/water-talk/2018/3/8/5-communities-that-have-pushed-back-against-fracking-and-won
15. https://www.wildernesscommittee.org/Fracking