From Waste to Wealth: Unlocking the Value of Produced Water with Aric Denton

In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims sits down with Aric Denton, a chemical engineer and co-founder of DJR Labs, to discuss innovative ways to transform produced water—a byproduct of oil and gas extraction—into valuable resources. Denton, who grew up on a cotton farm in Texas, shares his journey from farming to studying chemical engineering and how his background shaped his interest in finding sustainable solutions for produced water. He explains the complex composition of produced water, which contains various minerals, salts, and even lithium, and explores how these elements can be extracted and repurposed for industrial, agricultural, and technological applications. The conversation dives into potential solutions, including using produced water for irrigation, industrial cooling, and even municipal water supplies. Denton also discusses the challenges of filtering out valuable elements, the role of microbes in water purification, and the economic potential of converting waste into marketable products. With a focus on using "every part of the buffalo," this episode highlights how scientific innovation and responsible water management can create new economic opportunities while reducing environmental impacts   More About Our Guest: Aric Denton co-Founder and CEO of DJR Labs Email Linked-In: Aric Denton E.I.T. X: @AricDenton   For more information about SARA, please visit sara-conservation.com Support the Conservation Stories Podcast Follow SARA for more updates  •  Instagram  •  Facebook  •  LinkedIn •  X/Twitter Conservation Stories is presented by The Sandhills Area Research Association (SARA). Subscribe now to hear all the interviews. Upcoming Episodes Include: • Kelly Mulville, Vineyard Director at Paicines Ranch• Acre and Rust - Ty and Chelsea Criswell• Calloway Huffaker, attorney, partner at Huffaker & Harris, LLP