A reported study from Stanford writer Mark Golden, states that though previous conventional drilling techniques use less water initially in mining natural gas. Fracking would use less water if not utilizing electricity from coal. Replacing coal as a way to power machinery with natural gas or nuclear power would effectively cut water consumption.(Golden 2014) The waste water that comes from the rigs also pose a threat to the environment. The waste water is often injected underground where it has been known to trigger seismic activity in the dig site and surrounding areas. The injection of the waste water causes stress and ruptures in faults deep underground. Waste water seeping upwards into aquifers is deemed as rare cases due to the techniques used by companies. Though the use of waste water for livestock and forestry creates problems due to the run offs entering aquifers. Certain loopholes in the Safe Drinking Water Act mean the EPA do not regulate fracking fluids so harmful chemicals are present in the waste waters. (Cho