"Texas' Environmental Agency Facilitates Oilfield Wastewater Disposal in Rivers"
Texas regulators are allowing companies to discharge untreated oilfield wastewater, known as produced water, into rivers and streams before conducting a thorough risk assessment. The permits rely on self-reporting by companies, and the health and environmental effects of these discharges have never been studied. The greatest volumes of produced water are in the Permian Basin, where billions of barrels are generated each year. Environmental advocates are concerned about the lack of risk assessment and the presence of unregulated chemicals in the water. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is encouraging companies to apply for discharge permits, but critics argue that the practice is economically and technologically unproven.