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      • Harmful Algal Bloom Monitoring on Cayuga Lake
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    • Streams and Lakes Data
      • Cayuga Lake Region
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      • Select and Download Streams and Lakes Data
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      • Select and Download Cayuga Lake HABs Data
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      • Select and Download Groundwater Baselines
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Gas Well “Signature Chemicals”

  • Baseline Testing
    • FAQ – Baseline Testing
  • Regional Baseline Initiative
Home Gas Well “Signature Chemicals”

The new technology of horizontal drilling combined with high volume slick water hydraulic fracturing has opened up the Marcellus and other shale deposits around the world as a source of natural gas. It has also raised serious concerns about environmental risks to water, air, and forests as well as long-term impacts on rural communities and economies.

Responses from Community Science Institute

Community Science Institute is responding to the risks to water in several ways. First, we have developed a baseline testing program for homeowners as a form of insurance against the possibility that their well, pond or stream might be contaminated by waste from a nearby shale gas operation. Baseline testing does not protect against contamination; however, it can provide a basis for holding gas companies accountable to New York State regulatory agencies and in the courts.

Second, CSI has launched the Regional Baseline Initiative. The goal is to create a baseline of groundwater quality for the Southern Tier region, where “hydrofracking” is most likely to begin first in New York, by pooling the results of baseline tests for private drinking water wells. The pooled results of private well tests are presented in our online database using anonymous formats that safeguard homeowners’ privacy. We need our clients’ permission to add their data to the online pool, and many have responded positively to our request. Visit our Groundwater Database of baseline water quality data.

Finally, CSI has begun recruiting and training groups of volunteers to partner with our certified lab to monitor streams and lakes in the Southern Tier as part of the Red Flag stream monitoring program. Our Southern Tier monitoring initiative builds on our experience in the Cayuga Lake watershed, where we have partnered with seven volunteer groups to monitor water quality since 2003. The Red Flag stream monitoring program now has five active volunteer groups in the Southern Tier region of New York monitoring nearly 100 locations for baseline water quality. Results from the Red Flag program and all of CSI’s volunteer partnerships can be viewed and downloaded from our interactive online database.

For more detailed information:

Baseline Testing
Regional Baseline Initiative
Red Flag Stream Monitoring



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The Community Science Institute
Langmuir Lab Building/ Box 1044
95 Brown Rd.
Ithaca, NY 14850

(607) 257-6606

info@communityscience.org

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Recent Posts

  • New ways to volunteer at CSI in 2025!

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    It is a pleasure to announce that Community Science Institute’s (CSI’s) board

    22 November, 2024
Copyright 2007-2016 Community Science Institute | Developed by: Abner X. Figueroa
  • Get Involved
    • Volunteer With Us!
    • Monitoring Partnerships
      • Harmful Algal Bloom Monitoring on Cayuga Lake
      • Synoptic Sampling
      • Biological Monitoring
      • Owego Creek Tributaries Monitoring Project with Trout Unlimited
      • Past CSI Monitoring Programs
        • Red Flag Monitoring
    • Outreach and Education
      • Public Events and Presentations
      • Publications
      • The Water Bulletin Newsletter
      • CSI News and Monthly Updates
      • Journey of Water
      • Learning Materials
  • I want to test my water
    • Potable and Non-Potable Water Tests & Fees
    • Drinking Water Resources for the General Public
  • CSI Water Quality Data
    • Database Home
    • Streams and Lakes Data
      • Cayuga Lake Region
      • Seneca Lake Region
      • Upper Susquehanna River Region
      • Select and Download Streams and Lakes Data
    • HABs Database
      • Select and Download Cayuga Lake HABs Data
    • Pre-Fracking Groundwater Baselines
      • Select and Download Groundwater Baselines
    • Biological Monitoring Results
    • Glossary
  • About Us
    • Meet Our Staff
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Meet Our Board of Directors
    • Annual Reports
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Contact Us
  • Donate
    • CSI’s Business Membership Program
    • 2025-2026 Business Membership Partners
Community Science Institute
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