The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposes to levy more than $4 million in administrative penalties on 38 Southeast New Mexico oil and gas producers for alleged violation of a general Clean Water Act permit.
EPA said the operators discharged produced water into Laguna Quatro, a salt playa in Eddy County, N.M., that is considered "waters of the U.S."
The New Mexico Oil and Gas Association reported several companies received discharge permits for Laguna Quatro from the Bureau of Land Management and New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission after the general permit prohibiting discharge was issued by EPA.
Nmoga reported EPA will consider negotiating settlements with individual companies.
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