WSP11067

• File Number: 8273.100
• Description: Colorado River Basin Salinity Control - Federal Agencies - Bureau of Reclamation
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 9/1/1981
• Author: BOR
• Title: Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Improvement Project - Saline Water Use and Disposal Opportunities - Special Report September 1981
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Background

Salinity concentrations (total dissolved solids or mineral salts) in the
Colorado River are increasing and will continue to increase as the Basin
States develop their lands and available water resources. Salinity comes
from salt loading (the addition of mineral salts from natural and manmade
sources) a~d salt concentration (the rise through streamflow depletions).
Without a program of salinity control, continued development will result in
increased damages to agricultural, municipal, and industri al users in the
Lower Basin, possibly reaching $237 million per year by the year 2000. An
effective Basin-wide salinity control program also has international
implications in view of potential water quality impacts on the Republic of
Mexico.

This Special Report assesses the potential technical and economic feasi-
bility to collect saline water in the Colorado River Basin, to transport it
for practical use in energy production, and to export and dispose of
wastewater in a cost-effective manner. This preliminary study uses pre-
viously gathered data and appraisal grade designs and estimates to evaluate
the practicability and acceptability of these saline water use proposals
from Federal, State, and private sector viewpoints.

The Saline 'Water Use and Disposal Opportunities investigation is part of
the ongoing C~WQIP (Colorado River Water Quality Improvement Program) to
determine ~he most cost-effective means of maintaining the salinity concen-
trations of the Colorado River at the 1972 historical level while the Basin
States continue to develop their apportioned waters.

Legislative History and Authority for Investigation

In 1972, an amendment to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, Public Law
92-500, set forth a public policy embracing nondegradation of water quality,
pollution effluent discharge limitation, and eventual zero pollution dis-
charge by 1985. The Act was interpreted by the EPA (Environmental Protection
Agency) to require numerical salinity standards on the Colorado River.
Standards were subsequently established at three stations by the Forum
(Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Forum), adopted by each of the Basin
States, and approved by EPA. The standards, set in terms of milligrams per
liter (mg/L) of total dissolved solids (TDS), are:

Station

Annua 1
flow-weighted
average TDS

Below Hoover Dam
Below Parker Dam
At Imperial Dam

723 mg/L
747 mg/L
879 mg/L

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