A process for removing water from particulate material slurries produced by horizontal drilling, vertical drilling and from dredging of bodies of water is disclosed. The process comprises a first step of water removal accomplished by diffusing a chemical reagent into the particulate material source stream that results in separating out a clean water fraction and a second step of reacting the sludge with a demulsifier and a superabsorbent polymer that locks onto the water in the remaining slurry thus turning the slurry into a solid crust. The crust is ground into a particulate form and disposed in a landfill. The combined effect of the treatments is the thickening of the particulate material slurry from about 10% solids to about 25% solids. The removed water may be used for further drilling and drinking. Another benefit is the reduced volume of the particulate material that needs to be disposed in landfills.