New Mexico Environment Department – The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) has announced a process to implement House Bill 546, the Produced Water Act, which went into effect on July 1, 2019. The Produced Water Act responds to state policy interests in encouraging the oil and natural gas industry to favor reuse, recycling and treatment options over reliance on New Mexico’s limited fresh water resources. It also directs the Water Quality Control Commission to adopt regulations for implementation by NMED for use outside the oilfield of treated produced water, treated product or any byproduct of the produced water in order to protect water quality.

Before developing regulations, NMED is embarking on public outreach and a new partnership with New Mexico State University (NMSU). IPANM is linking two announcements to this update, directly from the NMED, that summarize efforts and an outreach/stakeholder meeting process.

September 12, 2019 – Consortium formed by New Mexico State University, Environment Department to lead nation in filling scientific gaps in produced water treatment | Memorandum of Understanding

September 12, 2019 – State launching statewide produced water outreach efforts