Produced Water Treatment and Beneficial Use Information Center

Beneficial Use Matrix

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The current management and beneficial uses of coalbed methane produced water are highly dependent on applicable regulations, produced water quality, and costs of transportation and treatment. The produced water quality varies from very high quality, which may meet state and federal drinking water standards, to having very high total dissolved solids (TDS) concentrations, which are not suitable for direct reuse. For the relatively fresh (low TDS) produced water, the water is managed by a wide range of activities including direct discharge, storage in impoundments, livestock watering, irrigation, and dust control. For the water that is not suitable for direct use, treatment is applied prior to reuse, or the water is disposed through deep well injection, evaporation/percolation, or permitted commercial disposal facilities.

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A matrix detailing the water quality criteria of beneficial uses is essential for users to determine the necessary treatment processes, once the produced water quality is known. The following links provide description of water quality criteria applicable to a range of water management and beneficial uses. Underground injection to class II wells and evaporation ponds are not included in the matrix because these methods are considered merely disposal options rather than beneficial use of produced water.

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It is important to note that water quality standards governing the beneficial use and discharge of produced water are evolving and subject to change. This website will be updated periodically but it is important for the user to contact the specific state and local jurisdictions to determine the currently applicable regulations.

Links:

Surface Water Discharge/Instream Flow Augmentation

Colorado
Montana
New Mexico
Utah
Wyoming

Aquifer Recharge, Storage And Recovery (Class V Well)

Colorado and Montana
New Mexico
Utah
Wyoming

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Agricultural Use

Livestock watering
Crop irrigation

Domestic/Municipal

Potable use
Non-potable use

Environmental Restoration

Impoundments
Fisheries
Constructed wetlands

Industrial Use During Oil And Gas Production

Dust control
Hydraulic Fracturing
Drilling water