WSP01114

• File Number: 8278.10
• Description: Title I - Yuma Desalting Plant
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 1/1/1996
• Author: USDOI/BOR
• Title: Marketing Water From the Yuma Desalting Plant - Notification Document 1996
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

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Allthoriry tD Mtn'ut Wdtft' from rh, YDP

Imide 101(e) ofthe Act authorizes the United Statca
to exchan,e my desalted water not needed for the
Pllrpoaca of the Act ~ ... at prices and under tc:nns and
conditions latisfactory to the S~..." The city
ofYulDll, Arizona (City) has the first right of refusal
and has exprcssed interest in markeling this water
with Reclamation, and possibly utilizing the plant for
some of its water supply in approximately 20 yean.

Yuma is a city of approximately 60,000 residents
located nellr a tri-point border of California, Arizona,
and MCllieo. Loo:al economy consists primarily of
agriculture, government, and tourism.

Protecting Eristing Entit~mmt Holders
After the iilterim period ends, Reclamation loses the
use of Coachella Canal conserved water to replace
WMIDD water bypassed to the Santa Clara Wetland.
To protec:t the basin states' water resources while
providinc for a long term commitment ofYDP
water, Reclamation would only execute contracts
with cntities that hold or can prove accC$S 10 an
established Colorado Rivcr water CDtitlement.
Reclamation will also rcserve enough capacity (two-
thirds of thc YDP or approximately 64,300 acre-Nyr
of r:lw-water-trcatment capacity) in the YDP to
ensure that marketing will not impact the ability to
meet the salinity requirements of Minute No. 242
and potential requirements at SIB.

How MGrketing WiU Work

A CUllomer purchasing all 23,000 acre-fr/yr of
available YDP product water would hold an
entitlcment for approximately 29,000 lI.cre-fUyr (YDP
is only 75% efficient. 25% of the water is rejected as
brine). At the end of the interim period and when
salinity conditions are such that Reclamation is
required to meet Minute No. 242, Reclamation would
continue to sell the 23,000 aC're-ftIyr of Water and
would increasc plant operations to full capacity,
unless we buy water to offset the replacement
obliiation incurred by not operating the YDP, and
deliver approximately 46,000 acre.ftlyr ofYDP wucr
to Mexico. We would also release 29,000 acre-fr/yr
from system storage, the amount ofthc entitlement
held by the YDP'product.wuer customer, for
delivery to Mexico. The surface water that would
have been delivered to the entitlement holder via the
river is replaced by water <reated at the YDP. Thus,
Mexico is providcd the requisite amount of Water at
the requircd quality. Reclamation has reduced the
fedetal obligation to replace water and the basin

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statts' " ater supply is protec:tcd..

Priu of Warer

Reclamation plans to sell YDP prOduct water (300
p/rn, non-potable) at a price of SSIS per acre-fliyr.
This will enable us to recover full costs assodated
with producinl the water and to recover some
a.pensts associated with holding the YDP in r,?,dy
reserve.

Potmtitzl Climu
So far, seven entities have exprcssed an interest in
obtaining water from the planL These inc:1ude two
powerplants, the City of Yuma, the Quechan and
Cacopah Indian Tribes, and two private; entities. In
addition, entities in California and Nevada a~
making plans to commit large sums of capital to
develop additional sources of water. Water from the
YDP could be used to meet some ofthese needs
where water from the plant can be prvduced at a
lower COlt than other sources of water.

While Reclamation intetlds to market the YDP watcr
primarily through the City of Yuma, we eould also
contract directly with a singlc large customer Or a
consortium of small water customers-provided they
show proof of a water cntitlement, or access to one.

As part of our efforts to create awarmcss that YDP
product water is available for purchase, Reclamation
will prepare and circulate news releases to news
papers and periodicals, is maintaining a home page
and developing an electronic mailing promotion on
the Interner, and, if necessary, will advertise in
specific industry journals.

Length ofContrt;u:t

Reclamation, via a Colorado River water entitlernrnt
holder, would enter into long-term service
agreements (IS to 25 yea.r.;) with water customers.
This will allow them time to recovcr their capi[al
investment required to economically justify use of
the treated water from the YDP.

Conclusion

The marketing of tre:Hed water from the YDP to
non-Federal entities would benefit both the United
States and the taxpayers. The advantagc;s include,

. Marketing water treated by the YDr would help
recover, in addition to costs associated with
oper:lting and maintaining the YDP to satisfy

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