The Butler Area Sewer Authority is looking into ways to make money from Marcellus Shale natural gas just like everyone else.

Tom Rockovich, BASA executive director, said Tuesday he has heard of other sewage treatment plants working with natural gas drillers.

He told BASA board members Tuesday either the authority could take waste water from the drilling process to treat or it could provide effluent, water that has been treated at the plant but not potable, to the drillers for the fracking process.

“I understand they use thousands of gallons of water for that process,” Rockovich said.

Marcellus Shale drillers are able to release natural gas from the shale by fracking, or sending water under high pressure into the rock.

Not only is water needed to fracture the shale, but some of it comes back to the surface and must be treated for contaminants.

Rockovich said he is researching the opportunities and the authority will continue to discuss the matter in 2011.

Freda Tarbell, spokeswoman for the state Department of Environmental Protection’s Meadville office, was not available for comment Tuesday on the requirements for using effluent or treating drilling waste water.

Authority members also heard from the EADS Group, a space management group from Pittsburgh, that is working to reconfigure the office and treatment plant areas at BASA’s property on Litman Road in Butler Township.

A reorganization of office space and reusing other buildings on the property will help the authority work more efficiently.

The EADS Group proposal is for about $2.25 million for relocation and renovation to the authority’s buildings.

Rockovich said the board is considering the proposal and will discuss it later.