Pennsylvania has long embraced natural gas drilling, while New York sits on the sidelines. But now, as our Lori Chung reports, officials there are cracking down on the industry over concerns about water quality. And some say, it could have an impact on how our state leaders handle fracking.

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YOUNGSVILLE, N.Y. -- Pennsylvania, which has welcomed hydrofracking activity, may now have some unwelcome water quality issues. DEP officials there are now asking gas companies to stop bringing its fracking wastewater to treatment facilities that contribute to its water supply.

"What the implication is, is that we really need to plan ahead before any development goes forward," said Wes Gillingham, Program Director for the environmental group Catskill Mountainkeeper.

The DEP's request comes after high levels of bromide were found in rivers where fracking takes place. Bromide can create a cancer-causing chemical when chlorinated. Catskill Mountainkeeper, like others with a stake in whether hydrofracking goes forward in New York, is watching to see how this unfolds.

"What was outlined in the last Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement did not identify facilities that can handle this stuff, we do not have any of those in New York at this time," said Gillingham.

Fracking involves the injection of water, sand and chemicals into the Marcellus Shale to extract gas, a process the industry says is safe. But industry leaders say they're cooperating with the request.

The Marcellus Shale Coalition released a statement saying, "We are committed to leading efforts and working alongside DEP and other stakeholders, to address these issues quickly and straightforwardly and support the appropriate action taken by DEP today."

The Independent Oil & Gas Association of New York also released a statement about the bromide findings that reads, "IOGA of New York fully supports the responsible approach being taken by the Pennsylvania DEP, the Marcellus Shale Coalition, and its member companies involved in Marcellus drilling activities to address these issues in a timely and straightforward manner."

In the meantime, environmentalists say New York state leaders should take this as a warning of what could happen here if drilling goes forward unchecked.

"This is just another big stop sign for gas drilling the way I see it," said Gillingham.

The Pennsylvania DEP is giving companies until May 19th to comply with its request. New York is under an executive order banning fracking until July.