OPINION: The saltwater dilemma: Innovation at the heart of the Southwest

In the arid heart of Southeastern New Mexico, something remarkable is happening. Eddy and Lea counties — once quiet corners of the American Southwest — are now producing over a million barrels of oil per day, outpacing entire nations like Venezuela and Oman. But this boom comes with a byproduct that’s stirring both controversy and innovation: produced water.

This salty, chemical-laden fluid is a result of hydraulic fracturing, where water, sand and additives are injected deep underground to release oil and gas from shale rock. What comes back up is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons, metals, salts, radioactive materials and bacteria — one of the most toxic cocktails on Earth in its untreated form.

Historically, the industry has dealt with this waste by injecting it back underground into saltwater disposal wells. While this method keeps the problem out of sight, it’s not without consequences. These injections have been linked to man-made earthquakes and even subtle shifts in surface topography. More importantly, they represent a permanent loss of water in a region where every drop counts.

Thankfully, the industry is evolving. Today, much of this water is treated to a “clean brine” standard — removing hydrocarbons, bacteria and many contaminants — so it can be reused in oilfield operations. This has significantly reduced the demand for fresh water and the volume of waste needing disposal.

But there’s a catch: The volume of produced water now far exceeds what can be reused in the oil field. That’s why scientists and engineers are pushing for the next frontier — treating this water to a standard safe enough for agriculture, surface discharge and even broader public use.

Understandably, this idea raises eyebrows. What if we contaminate our rivers? What if we salt the earth? These are valid concerns. But over the past decade, researchers in New Mexico, Texas and Colorado have been rigorously studying these questions. In New Mexico, the Produced Water Research Consortium — established under the 2019 Produced Water Act — has become a global leader in this field.

Their findings are groundbreaking. Using advanced treatment technologies like oxidation, desalination and carbon filtration, they’ve shown that even the most contaminated produced water can be rendered cleaner than many drinking water sources. Their work includes cutting-edge chemical analysis and biological testing, from single-cell organisms to genetic-level toxicity assessments.

Despite this progress, skepticism remains. Some fear that even the cleanest treated water poses a threat to New Mexico’s environment and identity. We respect those concerns — and we want to hear them.

That’s why we’re inviting the public to a candid, no-holds-barred Q&A session at the upcoming Building an Advanced Energy Ecosystem Conference, hosted by New Mexico Women Lead, Monday and Tuesday at Sandia Resort. Register here: https://whova.com/portal/registration/jxkuZ6QV8kylpZZPjOp-/

As scientists who have investigated high-profile contamination cases from Parker County, Texas, to Dimock, Pennsylvania, we know what’s at stake. But we also believe in solutions. With the right tools, transparency and public engagement, we can turn this challenge into an opportunity — for innovation, sustainability and a better future for our children.

Zacariah L. Hildenbrand, Ph.D., is a water and environmental analyst for Medusa Analytics. Kevin A. Schug, Ph.D., is a professor of analytics at the University of Texas at Arlington.