New Mexico Desalination Association held meeting to discuss the reuse of produced water

"More than half of New Mexicans surveyed said they would drink treated wastewater from the oil and gas industry, according to a poll conducted by the New Mexico Produced Water Research Consortium (NMPWRC.)" (04/05/23)

Texas, New Mexico see supply opportunities in produced water

New Mexico was the first state to take steps to address produced water management, noted Ben Shepperd, president of the Permian Basin Petroleum Association. He asked Mike Hightower, director of the New Mexico Produced Water Research Consortium, how the consortium came to be. (03/01/23)

Aris Water Solutions, Inc. Announces Addition of ExxonMobil to Strategic Agreement on Beneficial Reuse of Produced Water

Aris Water Solutions, Inc. announced today that ExxonMobil has joined Aris’s previously announced strategic agreement with Chevron U.S.A. Inc. and ConocoPhillips Company to develop and pilot technologies and processes to treat produced water for potential beneficial reuse opportunities. (02/27/23) 

Leveraging Unconventional Water Resources

According to Mike Hightwoer, research professor at New Mexico State University, "...New Mexico cannot continue to operate under a business-as-usual scenario for future water resources availability. Municipalities, industries, and agricultural entities will require new and more resilient water supply solutions." (02/23) 

EPA Announces Federal Working Group to Strengthen coordination on Water Reuse and Integrated Water Resources Management Approaches 

This week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing a Water Reuse Interagency Working Group, which was established under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (Section 50218). The Working Group is composed of senior officials from 15 federal agencies and is charged with developing and coordinating actions, tools, and resources to advance water reuse across the country. (05/25/22)

NM Produced Water Research Consortium to host public information sessions in Hobbs

The New Mexico Produced Water Research Consortium will host three public education information sessions on the status of current research and development on the fit-for-purpose treatment and reuse of oil and gas produced water Tuesday, May 24 and Wednesday, May 25 in Hobbs, News Mexico. New Mexico State University is leading the work in partnership with the New Mexico Environment Department. (05/11/2022)

Using produced water outside oilpatch requires data, education

"Deborah Dixon, a fellow with the New Mexico Produced Water Consortium, discussed how her state implemented a regulatory framework that provided incentives for oil and gas producers to move away from using fresh water by removing barriers to recycling and reusing produced water." (03/04/2022)

NM Produced Water Research Consortium at NMSU Develops Research Plan for Reuse of Produced Water 

The New Mexico Produced Water Research Consortium, a collaboration between New Mexico State University and the New Mexico Environment Department, has published the Research Plan and Gap Analysis for Produced Water Reuse in New Mexico. (02/10/2022)

Texas Earthquakes Prompt New Fracking Rules

Frackers need to find a new home for wastewater as the state acts to stem rising seismic activity, adding to drillers’ costs. (01/18/2022)

NM Produced Water Research Consortium Program Direction, Mike Hightower, Named as a 2022 "Salt of the Earth" Award Winner. 

“Since 2015, The Multi-State Salinity Coalition (MSSC) Board of Directors has recognized industry leaders that demonstrate outstanding commitment, leadership, vision, and dedication to our water industry by promoting advancements in technologies for desalination, reuse, salinity control strategies, water/energy efficiencies, and related public policies that assist communities in meeting water needs. NM Produced Water Research Consortium Program Director, Mike Hightower, was named as a 2022 “Salt of the Earth” Award Winner.”

New Mexico’s oil and gas water research studies economics, toxicity

Pubic Education Workshop on the Fit-for-Purpose Treatment and Reuse of Oil and Gas Produced Water in New Mexico

Progress of the NM Produced Water Research Consortium on Water Reuse Action Plan

A progress update on the NMPWRC and EPA WRAP. (05/17/2021)

NMED Collaborates with NMSU and New Mexico Produced Water Research Consortium on Research Projects

More questions than answers on how to reuse produced water

NM Political Report  – While freshwater supplies in the state are slowly dwindling, oil and gas activity generates millions of gallons of produced water each year. The state is currently deciding how best to regulate the use of treated produced water, while researchers, oil and gas producers and other companies are trying to find new uses for the wastewater. (10/03/2019)

Consortium formed by NMSU, NM Environment Department to lead nation in filling scientific gaps in produced water treatment

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Thursday announced the New Mexico Environment Department and New Mexico State University have entered into a memorandum of understanding, which will create a produced water research consortium. Through this consortium, New Mexico will continue to lead the country in advancing scientific and technological solutions related to the treatment and reuse of produced water generated by the oil and gas industry. (09/12/2019)