Texas Tech University

Connecting Science, stakeholders, & the public for
Texas-Sized Water Solutions

We are working with the Texas Produced Water Consortium (TxPWC) to better understand how Texans think about produced water treatment and its potential for beneficial reuse. Through public opinion research, stakeholder engagement, and science communication, we help translate complex research into clear information, so the public can make informed decisions about the future of produced water.

Why Our Work Matters

Our work supports industry efforts to:

  • Understand public perceptions of the benefits and risks related to produced water treatment and reuse.
  • Identify information needs and what questions communities still need answered
  • Translate technical research into clear communication.
  • Engage stakeholders representing diverse interests from agriculture to environmental groups.
Science and innovation earn public trust when people are transparently informed and brought into the conversation early. CATT is helping TxPWC bridge that gap by translating complex research into clear, accessible information for the communities who need it most. By listening to public and stakeholder opinions, understanding community priorities, and communicating findings in plain language, we're ensuring all voices are represented in the future of produced water management.

View more about the research TxPWC conducts

Our Work in Action

Below are descriptions of our current studies. Stay tuned for our published work.

To understand how produced water is being discussed by the public, CATT is analyzing conversations across social media platforms. This work helps identify emerging concerns, pinpoint dominant information sources, and evaluate how information spreads among different audiences.
Using qualitative interviews and Q-sort methodology, we're evaluating how different stakeholder groups view risks and opportunities around treatment and beneficial reuse. Participants include agricultural producers, environmental organizations, water recyclers, water utilities, and industry representatives, giving us a well-rounded picture of where perspectives align and where they diverge.
The way produced water is covered in the news shapes public understanding in powerful ways. Through a content analysis of news coverage of produced water, our current study is identifying what outlets are covering produced water, how the news media frames its risks and benefits, and what language is being used to describe produced water treatment.
Research only makes a difference if people can understand it. CATT is collaborating with TxPWC to develop communication materials such as infographics, FAQs, and fact sheets to help translate complex research findings into clear communication for a range of audiences.
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Center for Agriscience Communications at Texas Tech

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