Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Heckmann Corporation Announces Record First Quarter 2011

Financial Results

Palm Desert, CA — May 10, 2011 — Heckmann Corporation (NYSE: HEK, HEK.WS), a water solutions company focused on water issues worldwide and, in particular, oil and natural gas exploration and production, today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2011.

“The first quarter of 2011 marks the realization of many months of hard work, perseverance and commitment by this management team to build a world-class enterprise focused exclusively on providing water solutions, particularly those that support energy development,” said Richard J. Heckmann, Chairman and CEO of Heckmann Corporation. “After addressing the challenges in China that began in March of 2009, we have established a U.S. energy business designed to scale rapidly in order to address the enormous opportunities available to the only fully integrated, one-stop-shop water service provider to the producers of natural gas.”

First Quarter Highlights

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“We now own and operate both fresh and produced water pipelines, 22 disposal wells in the Haynesville and Eagle Ford Shales, and one of the largest water transportation fleet of trucks in the country. And, ours is the only fleet transitioning to liquid natural gas powered trucks using the very fuel produced by our customers. In the Marcellus Shale area, we offer recycle and reuse technology and equipment capabilities, transportation through the largest fleet available in that region, and service for all water treatment needs that arise,” Mr. Heckmann continued.

“While the Company’s growth to date and outlook for this year is dramatic, we have significant room to grow before we maximize the revenue and earnings potential from the operations we currently own. Having added seasoned executives with substantial water and energy experience to our corporate infrastructure, our industry relationships and early entry into this market give us a head-start advantage as we continue to pursue attractive opportunities for organic and acquisitive growth. As our country moves toward a long-term goal of energy independence, the potential within the domestic energy industry is staggering – and all energy producers must address water issues. Our Company will continue to invest aggressively to expand our fully integrated scope of water services to support shale oil and natural gas production.”

Operational Update – Water Solutions for Energy Development

The balance of the initial phase of the expansion of the Heckmann Water Resources (HWR) pipeline in the Haynesville Shale area will be completed during the second quarter of 2011. The pipeline resumed service during the first week of May and is in the process of returning to its normal flow.

Engineering and right-of-way acquisition has commenced for the Company’s previously announced eastbound expansion of the current produced water pipeline. This 11-mile extension is scheduled for completion in 2011.

Construction has commenced on a 40-mile fresh water pipeline conversion along HWR’s current right-of-ways connecting its Sabine River water source to customers’ operations in the Haynesville Shale area. When completed later this year the line will have the capacity to deliver up to 60,000 barrels per day of river water for exploration and production. Approximately 18 miles of the fresh water line are expected to be in service by the end of the second quarter of 2011.

Accounting for the aforementioned acquisitions, the Company now owns and operates 22 disposal wells with a permitted capacity of approximately 340,000 barrels per day. The Company owns and operates a fleet of approximately 400 trucks, with 250 additional trucks and trailers on order for hauling and disposal, and 780 frac tanks, with an additional 270 on order. The Company employs approximately 750 people in the United States, compared with fewer than 30 six months ago.

In April 2011, the Company announced the purchase of 200 LNG powered Peterbilt tractor/trailers in a partnering arrangement with Encana Corporation (TSX, NYSE: ECA). Delivery of the trucks, which is expected to commence in late summer, will significantly expand the Company’s fleet and ground transport capabilities. By consuming fuel produced by its own customers and through lower fuel requirements and extended warranty coverage, the Company’s fleet operating costs are expected

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to decline significantly. A 30% reduction in HWR’s carbon footprint and the elimination of particulate discharge from truck engines makes the fleet transition appealing to both customers and Company stakeholders.

Operational Update – Bottled Water Products

China Water & Drinks, Inc. delivered 94 million bottles of water in the first quarter of 2011, an adjusted increase of approximately 14% year-over-year, considering the deconsolidation of Harbin that occurred last year.

The legal actions between the sellers and former managers of China Water and Drinks and the Company have been settled and dismissed. The significant legal expenses associated with those actions are expected to conclude during the current quarter ending June 30, 2011. Two and a half years ago, Heckmann Corporation issued or agreed to issue approximately 29 million shares to the China Water management group at the completion of the transaction in November of 2008. When the case was dismissed, the aggregate settlement included the purchase by the Company of approximately 14.0 million shares at $1.31 per share, the cancellation of approximately 3.4 million shares, and the elimination of approximately 3.5 million contingently returnable shares as disclosed in the Company’s previous filings. The balance of the shares (totaling approximately 7.7 million), which had been frozen by the Delaware Court, was released to the sellers and has been sold into the market. At the current share price, the recovery value to the Company totaled over $110.0 million.

Financial Results

Revenues for the first quarter ended March 31, 2011 totaled $23.8 million compared with $8.6 million for the same year-ago period.

Net income for the first quarter of 2011 was $0.3 million, or $0.01 on an adjusted per share basis, based on 108.5 million weighted shares outstanding, compared with a net loss of $(0.3) million, or adjusted break-even, based on 108.8 million weighted shares outstanding for the first quarter of 2010.

Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2011 totaled $6.1 million, compared with adjusted EBITDA of $0.4 million for the first quarter of 2010. (A reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA is included in the tables below.)

As of March 31, 2011, Heckmann Corporation’s cash and cash equivalents, investments and marketable securities totaled approximately $167 million, total assets were $411 million, and total equity was $298 million.

Conference Call and Webcast

Heckmann Corporation will conduct a conference call today at 1:30 p.m. PT (4:30 p.m. ET) to provide commentary on first quarter 2011 operational performance and outlook. To participate on the conference call, please dial 1-877-941-8416 or 1-480-629-9808 and reference conference ID 4435522.

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An audio replay of the conference call will be available approximately one hour after the conclusion of the call through May 24, 2011. The audio replay can be accessed by dialing 800-406-7325 or 303-590-3030 and entering access code 4435522.

The call will be webcast live and the replay will be available for 12 months. Both will be available on Heckmann Corporation’s web site at www.heckmanncorp.com: News.

Upcoming Investor Conferences

Mr. Richard J. Heckmann will present at three upcoming investor conferences:

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Boston, Massachusetts

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

London, United Kingdom

Additional details about the conferences will be disclosed closer to the events, as warranted.

About Heckmann Corporation

Heckmann Corporation (NYSE: HEK, HEK.WS) is a services-based company focused on total water solutions for shale or “unconventional” oil and gas exploration. The Company’s water solutions for energy development segment is called Heckman Water Resources, or HWR, and includes water disposal, trucking, fluids handling, treatment and pipeline transport facilities, and water infrastructure services for oil and gas exploration and production companies. Through these operations, HWR offers an integrated and efficient full service water program for hydraulic fracturing operations. Heckmann Corporation’s wholly owned subsidiary China Water and Drinks, Inc. produces and distributes bottled water products in the People’s Republic of China.

Interested stockholders and investors can access additional information about Heckmann on the Company’s web site at www.heckmanncorp.com, and in documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, on the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “budget,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “believes,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include matters that involve known

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and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from results expressed or implied by this press release. These forward-looking statements inherently involve certain risks and uncertainties that are detailed in the Company’s filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov as well as the Company’s website at www.heckmanncorp.com. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this presentation. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Investor Relations Contact:

Kristen McNally

The Piacente Group, Inc.

Tel. +1 212-481-2050

heckmann@tpg-ir.com

– tables to follow –

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HECKMANN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share data)

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HECKMANN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDARIES

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands)

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Heckmann Corporation and Subsidiaries

Adjusted Q1 2011 EBITDA

(millions)