Underground rock layers generally contain fluids such as formation water, oil, natural gas or some combination of these fluids. During natural gas production, this naturally occurring formation water can travel through the wellbore and up to the surface. This water is referred to as produced water. The salt content, total dissolved solids and overall quality of produced water varies based on geologic basin and specific rock strata, the makeup of which is dependent on whether natural gas or crude oil is being produced. Produced water generally includes a mixture of either liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons, formation water, salts, suspended solids (sand and silt) and very small amounts of other additives that may have been used during production activities. After initial production, the salt content of produced water can vary from slightly higher than that of freshwater to up to 10 times higher than that of seawater.