On 11 February 2009, the House of Representatives passed two bills to encourage water efficiency as the country continues to dry out. H.R. 361, introduced by Rep. Matheson (D-UT) is designed to "increase research, development, education, and technology transfer activities related to water use efficiency and conservation technologies and practices at the Environmental Protection Agency."
The Bill recognizes that betwen 1950 and 2000, the US population grew by 90% and public demand for water increased by 209% and anticipates that 36 states will face local, regional or state-wide water shortages by 2013. The bill calls for the EPA to establish a research and development program to promote water use efficiency and conservation, including
- (1) technologies and processes that enable the collection, storage, treatment, and reuse of rainwater, stormwater, and greywater;
- (2) water storage and distribution systems;
- (3) behavioral, social, and economic barriers to achieving greater water use efficiency; and
- (4) use of watershed planning directed toward water quality, conservation, and supply.
"H.R. 469, The Produced Water Utilization Act was introduced by Committee Ranking Member Ralph Hall (R-TX). This bill creates a research, development, and demonstration program to promote the beneficial reuse of water produced in connection with oil and gas extraction. In the United States, up to 2.3 billion gallons per day of produced water is generated. Unfortunately, this water is not of sufficient quality to be used. This legislation will provide innovative treatment technologies that will enable the reuse of this water in an environmentally responsible way."
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