The Energy and Natural Resources Committees of the Texas House met in joint session on Wednesday [February 13th]. The attendance seemed to be tilted in favor of the oil and gas industry rather than the public water supply folks.
The opening speaker represented the office of the State Climatologist. His forecast for future conditions tended to favor more drought.
A wide variety of frac water capabilities was highlighted for the joint committee members. The economics of oil/gas production tended to favor the use of fresh water except for the extra cost of transport by truck. Produced water presented some issues. Caution among the users of frac water seemed to center on a high aversion to future public health liabilities. This worked against cooperative activities that might allow more recycle and multi-use of treated brackish water.
It seems like an opportunity exists for public/private partnering to produce new water sources for small west Texas water utilities in conjunction with frac water operations. Let us work with your community and others to explore this option in our west Texas drought.
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