This invention relates to novel liquid membrane formulations which are water-in-oil emulsions wherein the oil phase comprises a sulfonated polymer having a backbone which is substantially nonaromatic, for example, less than 10 mole % aromatic, and uses thereof in high temperature liquid membrane processes. The emulsions are useful in liquid membrane water treating processes, especially in water treating processes which are desirably run at high temperatures. In the most preferred embodiment, these compositions are used in a liquid membrane sour water treating process wherein a waste water stream containing ammonium sulfide is contacted with a liquid membrane emulsion, i.e., the emulsions of the instant invention, at conditions whereby ammonia permeates through the external phase of the emulsion into an acidic internal phase wherein it is converted to a nonpermeable form, e.g., ammonium ion, while H.sub.2 S is continuously stripped out of the waste water solution by means of an inert gas, e.g., steam. Processes of this sort are most effectively carried out at temperatures greater than 80.degree.C. wherein the emulsions of the instant invention have excellent stability.