Brackish groundwater could be an asset for future water needs

Even with the downturn in the oil patch, interest in brackish groundwater remains high for agriculture, reports AgriLife Today.

“As water needs for municipalities and industries continue to grow, so does interest in pumping and desalinating brackish groundwater,” said Dr. Alyson McDonald, AgriLife Extension range specialist.

Brackish water has been found in 26 of the 30 aquifers in Texas with an estimated total of 2.7 billion acre-feet or enough to cover Texas in 15 feet of water. To qualify as brackish water, it must contain 1,000-10,000 parts per million total dissolved solids. Total dissolved solids are the dissolved salts, such as magnesium, potassium, calcium, sulphur, boron and sodium in the water.

“Brackish water could be a real asset in the near future,” McDonald said, “so it would behoove landowners to stay abreast of any developments that may not only affect them, but the region and state as well.”