Brownback Signs Water Legislation

Governor Sam Brownback signed two bills into law that he says will prolong the life of the Ogallala Aquifer.

One repeals a 1945 law that requires a certain amount of water to be used each year under the so-called use-it-or-lose-it doctrine.

The other gives water rights holders more flexibility in how they use their water resources each year.

"I think it made sense to people and the drought heightened the urgency of it, is what it amounted to," said Governor Sam Brownback. "We’ve got a declining aquifer in the Ogallala and it’s been increasing in its impact."

The two water bills passed both houses of Congress in Topeka unanimously.