A water-based separating composition for separating hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon-containing material includes at least about 71% by weight water, a hydrotropic agent, a dispersant having flocculating characteristics, a wetting agent, and at least one acid and at least one base in amounts sufficient to provide the separating composition with a pH of about 7 to about 8.5. The hydrotropic agent and the dispersant having flocculating characteristics are different.