Recycling Water Resources

If you are anything like me, you realize that sustainability is one of the biggest concerns that our planet faces today. As we become more environmentally responsible, green movements seem to be a focus of every industry. No industry has faced as much scrutiny as oil and gas has lately. So, when I see an example of responsibility, I like to take note of it.
 
Freshwater is a key component to the fracking process and hauling large quantities to dry areas is costly and inefficient. Not to mention the time and money required to transport the used water to underground disposal wells.
 
As a result of these issues, oilfield service companies such as Baker Hughes and FTS International have begun to treat the used water and reuse it in the fracking process.
 
This practice has spun off some benefits to surrounding stakeholders and businesses. The reduction in the transportation of water has drastically reduced the number of trucks on the road, thus reducing traffic in these fracking areas. Also, companies producing materials that aid in the treatment of used water are seeing an increase in business.
 
Given the benefits of recycling, likely accompanied by additional regulations for reusing fracked water, I expect this practice to become more prevalent in the oilfield service industry.