Over the last ten years, the US energy sector has accelerated the development of its unconventional oil and gas resources through increased use of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing practices. Water is an essential element in the fracturing process.  The volume of water required to fracture a well varies across the country, but it generally ranges from one million gallons to five million gallons. Operators face difficult challenges securing water sources for their operations, especially in the arid west. Furthermore, the management of waste water associated with hydraulic fracturing has an environmental impact and associated cost.