Photos: Fracking in Texas

A fracked well stands on the south side of Ft. Worth, Texas, where energy companies have placed wells in close proximity to residential areas. Les Stone for Al Jazeera America

Steve Lipsky demonstrates the presence of methane gas in his water supply. Lipsky and his family built their dream home in Weatherford, Texas, only to have an energy company place a well approximately 2000 feet away. Les Stone for Al Jazeera America

An enclosure surrounds a fracked well in Denton Texas, less than two hundred feet from a residential area. The placement of the wells has triggered an intense backlash against the city of Denton. Les Stone for Al Jazeera America

Signs signaling the rights for fracked wells owned by Chesapeake energy company hang from a fence on the south side of Fort Worth. In Texas and other states, homeowners do not necessarily retain control of the mineral rights underneath their property. Les Stone for Al Jazeera America

Barbara Brown of Reno, Texas blames the arrival of fracking in her community for an illness that has caused her to lose more than 30 pounds in the last several years. Les Stone for Al Jazeera America

Rebekah Sheffield says the presence of fracking wells near her home has made her extra sensitive to chemicals. She wears a gas mask in her house when she feels sick. Les Stone for Al Jazeera America

Outside this trailer in Granby, Texas, the resident can light her well water on fire. A well drilled by Range Resources was drilled less then 500 feet from her home; since then, her water has contained a high concentration of methane and cannot be used for drinking. The gas company denies it has anything to do with the problem. Les Stone for Al Jazeera America

The water from Steve Lipsky's property is tested for methane contamination. Les Stone for Al Jazeera America

Almost no water remains in the Eagle Ford Lake in Azle, Texas. Though the loss of the water could be attributed to drought conditions, many feel that the massive amounts of water used in fracking has contributed to the drop in the water table. Les Stone for Al Jazeera America

A memorial for Deston Bibbs, 14, who was killed by a truck carrying fracking waste water, stands at the intersection in Fort Worth where the accident occurred. The death aroused the anger of local residents, who had begged the energy company that owned the truck not to drill. Les Stone for Al Jazeera America