The Water Information Program

A local decision on how oil and water mix when it comes to water rights could have far-reaching ramifications across Colorado. Last month a state water court judge ruled Wellington Water Works, or WWW, has a right to take and use water pumped from deep underground as part of an oil operation north of Wellington. The judge also found Richard Seaworth, a partner in the company, may use produced water to augment well water on his 600-acre farm he wants to convert to domestic use. Final decrees on the matters are expected to be released this month. When they come, Seaworth said, the rulings could help him develop part of his farm and establish a way to sell water to Wellington or other buyers. The ruling could affect how oil companies across the state deal with water generated by their operations, said Steven Bushong, a Boulder water law attorney who represents the company. The decision establishes production water as "new" water that can be used, traded or sold. "Oil companies may start seeing water as an asset instead of a liability," Bushong said.

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