A composition for solid pellets and a process for removing water from particulate material slurries produced by horizontal drilling, vertical drilling and dredging of bodies of water are disclosed. The composition comprises a precipitating agent, a purification agent and, optionally, a binding agent. The process comprises the steps of 1) water removal accomplished by diffusing a chemical reagent into the particulate material source stream that results in separating out a clean water fraction and 2) 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.