North Dakota pipeline spill cleanup may take weeks

Company and tribal officials say a pipeline on North Dakota's Fort Berthold Indian reservation has leaked 1 million gallons of saltwater, with some of the fluid finding its way to a bay that leads to a lake providing drinking water for the reservation.

The leak at the underground pipeline, owned by Houston-based Crestwood Midstream Services Inc. subsidiary Aero Pipeline LLC, likely started during the Fourth of July weekend. It was discovered Tuesday.

Saltwater is a naturally occurring, unwanted byproduct of oil and natural gas production that is between 10 and 30 times saltier than sea water. The state considers it an environmental hazard, according to the Associated Press.

Read more from the Associated Press.