---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 10310"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "10310"
heading: "Produced water research and development"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/10310"
units:
  - "Chapter 109 — Water Resources Research"
---

# §10310. Produced water research and development

- (a) **Establishment—** As soon as possible after December 27, 2020, the [Secretary](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=2) of Energy (in this section referred to as the “[Secretary](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=2)”) shall establish a research and development program on produced water to develop—
  - (1) new technologies and [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19) to reduce the environmental impact; and
  - (2) opportunities for reprocessing of produced water at natural gas or oil development sites.
- (b) **Prioritization—** In carrying out the program established under [subsection (a)](#a), the [Secretary](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=2) shall give priority to [projects](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2) that develop and bring to market—
  - (1) effective systems for on-site management or repurposing of produced water; and
  - (2) new technologies or approaches to reduce the environmental impact of produced water on local water sources and the environment.
- (c) **Conduct of program—** In carrying out the program established under [subsection (a)](#a), the [Secretary](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=2) shall carry out science-based research and development activities to pursue—
  - (1) improved efficiency, technologies, and techniques for produced water recycling stations; and
  - (2) alternative approaches to treating, reusing, storing, or decontaminating produced water.
- (d) **Authorization of appropriations—** There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title IV, § 4008, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2546.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Energy Act of 2020, and not as part of the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 which comprises this chapter.