Battles Over Water Take Ironic Turn In Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Another big battle is brewing between Texas and Oklahoma, but this one doesn't have anything to do with football or basketball. <br/><br/>The two states are disputing over water

Saturday, January 13th 2007, 4:07 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Another big battle is brewing between Texas and Oklahoma, but this one doesn't have anything to do with football or basketball.

The two states are disputing over water supplies.

The Tarrant Regional Water District serves more than 1.6 million people in and around Fort Worth and Arlington, Texas. The group filed a federal lawsuit in Oklahoma City this week.

The suit contends an Oklahoma moratorium against out-of-state water sales violates the commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution.

Water is considered essential to economic development and the lack of it is seen as one reason some western areas of Oklahoma are sparsely populated.

A hearing has been set on the lawsuit filed by the Texas group at 10 am on January 23rd before U.S. District Judge Joe Heaton in Oklahoma City.