The Impact of Waste Water Injection on Induced Seismicity and
Potential Implications in Kenya
Injecting of wastewater into the ground has had a significant contribution to the energy industry
around the world. The geothermal and oil industries have been able to manage their wastes
associated with exploration and exploitation of energy resources below the earth surface. One
controversial issue associated with injecting of wastewater is the impact it has played on
increased rate induced seismicity associated with it. In 2011 a Mw 5.7 earthquake hit Oklahoma
which significant damage and was linked in close to a disposal well (Keranen et al. 2013). The
primary objectives of this paper were to present an up-to-date review of the impacts of
wastewater injection on induced seismicity in selected case study areas in the USA from
literature. A comparison is made on the geological and structural setting of the case study areas
and comparison made to Kenya in areas with high geothermal and oil resources potential.
Variations are observed in the geology of the areas but structures mainly faults are common in all
areas. A correlation is made to Kenya and it’s observed that similarities are drawn from the case
study areas, from which it is suggested that there is high potential of similar implications on
seismicity if waste water is to fully be initiated. From observations made on parameters involved
in induced seismicity, recommendations for safe methods of disposal of wastewater are
suggested.