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Environmentalists object to produced water reuse
A protest against a proposed strategic water plan during the 2024 Legislature involving YUCCA, New Energy Economy, Wild Earth Guardians, No False Solutions and other environmental groups outside the state Capital in January.
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Environmental advocates spoke up at a state water meeting on Monday to “defend New Mexico water.”
It’s the first day the New Mexico Water Quality Control Commission resumed a hearing considering allowing more treated water reuse options in the state.
The New Mexico Environment Department in December petitioned the commission to approve a proposal by the agency expanding water reuse, including treated oil and gas wastewater — produced water.
Environmental groups were quick to oppose the rule, voicing health concerns.
On Monday, Advocacy organizations Indivisible Albuquerque, Youth United for Climate Crisis Action (YUCCA) and No False Solutions Coalition delivered a petition with more than 1,100 signatures to the Water Quality Control Commission, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s Office and the New Mexico Environment Department calling for an alternative rule that would prohibit the reuse of produced water.
“The proposed wastewater reuse rule is a dangerous step backward and must be replaced with an alternative rule to prohibit all discharge and reuse off the oil field,” YUCCA spokesperson Ennedith Lopez said in a statement. “The administration's relationship with the industry has been pushing this rule forward without adequate consideration for public health and safety.”
The hearing is scheduled to continue through next week, without meetings on the weekend.
