Pollution has become one of the most destructive forces against our planet. From plastic in our oceans to oil and gas waste in our soil and water, human activity is leaving a toxic legacy that harms ecosystems, wildlife, and communities. In particular, the oil and gas industry continues to be a major contributor to environmental degradation, with pollution that is often hidden from public view.
A recent report by WildEarth Guardians highlights just how serious the problem is. Their inaugural Oil & Gas Waste Watch quarterly report reveals that from January through March 2025, New Mexico recorded 307 oil and gas spills. That’s one spill every seven hours. Over 75,000 barrels of hazardous waste were released, including nearly 23,000 barrels of toxic “produced water,” a radioactive byproduct of fracking.
“This is a toxic crisis hiding in plain sight,” said Melissa Troutman, Climate and Health Advocate at WildEarth Guardians. “For every barrel of oil, up to seven barrels of toxic waste are produced—and the state is barely lifting a finger to stop the damage.”
The problem isn’t just the volume of waste, it’s the lack of accountability. Despite the high number of self-reported incidents, regulatory agencies like the Oil Conservation Division and the EPA have failed to take meaningful enforcement action. Loopholes in trade secret laws mean the chemicals involved in these spills remain undisclosed, putting emergency responders and communities at risk.
One of the most alarming statistics is the total loss of over 4,985 barrels of produced water, severely affecting counties such as Lea, Eddy, and San Juan. In just three months, the volume of these spills could fill more than 100 tanker trucks with hazardous waste.
“This is the true cost of oil and gas—poisoned water, toxic spills, and communities left in the dark,” said Rebecca Sobel, Campaign Manager at WildEarth Guardians.
As New Mexico considers expanding the use of produced water outside of the oilfield, potentially even onto farmland, advocates are raising serious concerns. “There are already hundreds of produced water spills monthly—and now the oil and gas industry is pushing to put this toxic waste into rivers and on farmland?” Sobel questioned. “If the industry can’t clean up the mess already happening, they have no business expanding the use of produced water.”
WildEarth Guardians is demanding stronger enforcement and transparency. That includes meaningful fines, permit denials for repeat violators, and full chemical disclosures. The group urges the application of hazardous waste laws, including the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act, to cover oil and gas operations.
This is why we must take immediate and decisive action when environmental laws are violated. Pollution is not just an inconvenience, it poses a serious threat to human health, the natural world, and the well-being of future generations. Allowing harmful practices to go unchecked risks irreversible damage to our ecosystems and undermines the protections designed to preserve our planet and precious species.
