Texas Expands Treated Wastewater Discharge into Rivers Amid Environmental Concerns

State regulators are evaluating applications to increase the release of treated oilfield wastewater into waterways, raising questions about potential environmental impacts.

• Texas is considering new permits for discharging treated oilfield wastewater into rivers, with applications pending for the Pecos River and other areas.
• Environmental advocates express concerns over the introduction of pollutants like PFAS and radioactive materials into natural water sources.
• Regulatory bodies face challenges in setting safety standards due to limited data on the toxicity of many constituents found in produced water.
• Some companies claim their treatment processes make wastewater safe for discharge, but the adequacy of these methods is under scrutiny.
• Efforts to reuse produced water are seen as a response to decreasing disposal options and increasing water shortages in Texas.

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