Senate passed 'produced water' act

The Senate has passed a bill sponsored by U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo., that could allow for the recovery of usable water from sources contaminated by oil and gas drilling operations.

The More Water, More Energy, Less Waste Act of 2007, will return to the House for procedural approval then be sent to the White House for President Bush's signature. The House passed a similar measure last year, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Mark Udall, D-Colo.

The bill directs the Department of Interior to evaluate the feasibility of recovering and cleaning produced water -- groundwater contaminated when it is brought to the surface during oil and gas drilling or coal bed methane extraction -- for use as irrigation water or other uses.

"Every day, 2 million gallons of 'produced water' are wasted in this nation, unfit for any use," Salazar said in a press release. Recovering that water, he said, "could help lift a huge burden off the backs of farmers, ranchers, communities and recreation users."