LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – As the competition for water across Texas grows, some state leaders are pointing toward the Permian Basin.
Produced water comes up during oil drilling. For every barrel of oil drilled, an average of six barrels of water come up. Lubbock State Senator Charles Perry says that equates to about 26 million barrels of water a day.
The water contains contaminants like metals, minerals, traces of oil, and other material that make it unusable if untreated.
Perry said water quality is measured in total dissolved solids, in parts per million. He said people can drink water with about 500 parts, and up to 1,000 parts “probably.” Produced water has as much as 100,000 to 200,000 parts, he said…