Oklahoma City, Oklahoma —
Governor Mary Fallin signed into law this week the Water for 2060 Act, the most comprehensive, ambitious statewide water conservation measure in the United States.
The bill, House Bill 3055, establishes a statewide goal of consuming no more fresh water in 2060 than is consumed currently in the state.
The bill also creates an advisory council that will develop a strategy for achieving the statewide goal, as well as recommendations on more efficient use of existing water supplies, identification of new water supplies and more efficient infrastructure.
According to the 2012 update to the Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan, localized shortages and groundwater depletions could become more prevalent in the next 50 years in more than half of the state’s watersheds.
HB 3055, authored by Speaker Kris Steele, places the focus on preserving fresh water through conservation while also looking toward expanding the use of alternative supplies, such as wastewater, brackish water, and other non-potable supplies, in order to meet the needs of the public and the needs of business, industries and agriculture producers.
“To protect this precious natural resource for generations to come, it’s important we look for ways to conserve fresh water,” Fallin said.
State News
Fallin signs water act
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