When a developer drills a well to extract the gas, a lot of water comes with. This water, called "produced water" by the industry, often contains high salt levels and occasionally heavy metals. It is considered wastewater under federal law. Disposal of this wastewater can have disastrous consequences for agricultural land, drinking water supply, and fish and wildlife.

In B.C., the disposal of produced water is governed by the Produced Water Code of Practice, which is enforced by the Oil and Gas Commission.
West Coast Environmental Law's checklist for Produced Water Code of Practice