How to Start a Saltwater Hauling Business in 2026 (Step‑by‑Step Guide)
- Nate Jones, CPCU, ARM, CLCS, AU
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Saltwater (produced water) hauling is one of the most in‑demand segments of oilfield trucking, especially in high‑production basins like the Permian, where operators generate four to six barrels of produced water for every barrel of oil. As this volume continues to grow in 2026, new hauling companies have strong opportunities to enter the market. Here’s a step‑by‑step guide to launching your operation the right way.
1. Understand Produced Water Risks & Market Needs
Before starting, understand the commodity you’re hauling. Produced water is chemically complex, containing salts, hydrocarbons, metals, and treatment chemicals. Spills can contaminate soil and groundwater and create human‑exposure risks.
This makes risk management, and insurance, critical from day one.
2. Form Your Business & Complete State Requirements
Register your LLC or corporation, obtain a federal EIN, and secure your:
DOT number
MC authority (if crossing state lines)
State hauling permits
Oilfield access and vendor on-boarding forms
Some states require environmental registrations or proof of insurance before approving waste‑hauling credentials.
3. Acquire Trucks, Vacuum Trailers & Pumps
Most saltwater haulers start with:
A heavy‑duty truck (Class 8)
A vacuum trailer or bobtail vacuum truck
Pumps, hoses, and PPE
Spill‑response equipment (often required by operators)
Preventive maintenance is essential to avoid hose failures, pump breakdowns, and leaks that commonly result in equipment or pollution claims.
4. Build Your Safety Program (Required by Operators)
Saltwater hauling falls under OSHA’s oil and gas extraction safety requirements (29 CFR 1910).Your safety program must include:
JSA procedures
Driver training
Spill‑prevention and response
PPE requirements
Incident reporting
Drug & alcohol compliance
A strong safety program helps you qualify faster with operators and lowers insurance costs.
5. Get the Right Insurance Coverage
Major operators require saltwater haulers to carry:
Pollution Liability (for produced water spills)
Excess/Umbrella Liability
Because hazmat‑style water spills can escalate quickly, similar to fuel‑tanker crashes that cause environmental damage and waterway contamination, having pollution and auto coverage properly structured is critical.
6. Register With Operators & SWDs
To get hauling work, apply through:
Major operator vendor portals
Saltwater disposal (SWD) facilities
ISNetworld, Veriforce, and Avetta (often required)
Approval requires valid insurance, safety documentation, and equipment inspections.
Start Your Hauling Business With the Right Insurance Partner
Wexford Insurance specialises in saltwater and produced‑water hauling Insurance.
We work with oilfield‑focused carriers nationwide and help new businesses meet operator insurance requirements.
👉 Request your saltwater hauling insurance quote from Wexford Insurance today and launch your 2026 operation with confidence.
