Mining.com has an article briefly dealing with 

World’s largest oilfield contractor tackles lithium’s water woes

Although the article deals with how to reduce the water used in processing lithium produced from salt lakes I couldn't help but think that the same technology might be useful for other lithium sources such as lithium brine from subterranean acquifers and, possibly, even for processing newer lithium clay sources such as found at Thacker Pass.  It is reassuring to note that research continues in mining with the goal of reducing the amount of water needed for processing the ore or brine into the final product.

https://www.mining.com/web/worlds-largest-oilfield-contractor-tackles-lithiums-water-woes/?utm_source=Daily_Digest&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MNG-DIGESTS&utm_content=worlds-largest-oilfield-contractor-tackles-lithiums-water-woes