What are the current management practices for disposal of CBM product water?
• Discharged into a stream channel – Although direct stream discharge is no longer permitted on new wells, existing operations were “grandfathered” and are still discharging directly into streams. Also, proposals are being advanced to allow regulated discharges during certain flow conditions. • Impounded – This method involves constructing a pond in which CBM product water is stored or allowed to infiltrate to the subsurface. There are several terms for these impoundments: “holding ponds”, “zero discharge ponds” or “infiltration ponds”. Although they do not directly discharge water on the land surface, most impoundments are not lined and do discharge to the subsurface. Some percentage of seepage flow from impoundments is likely to reach stream channels via subsurface flow. • Land applied to crop or rangeland – through some form of irrigation equipment. • Other uses – CBM product water is also used for dust control and, in some cases, is being used by coal mines. Another option proposed
