Researchers in Texas are hoping to answer what could be the million dollar question–can water used by the oil and gas industry be recycled and used to irrigate crops?
According to a press release, Energy Water Solutions of Houston has just completed a six-month project where they irrigated a cotton crop in Pecos with recycled water from oil and gas activity in the Delaware Basin.
The project included the Texas Railroad Commission, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, Gibson Energy and Energy Water Solutions.
The water used in the research was stored and recycled at a Texas A&M AgriLife Research station. It was then used to irrigate a field of cotton.
The cotton will be harvested in late November and will be tested by AgriLife researchers.
A full report on the project is expected in January.