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<br />O:J1I9JE <br /> <br />Water Impact <br /> <br />- 24 - <br /> <br />The-C~ado Water Conservation Board estimates that there would be a need <br />fo~,500~cre-feet of water at an estimated cost of $210.5 million to achieve <br />the hign-scenario of energy production, which is related to specific energy <br />types as follows: <br /> <br /> USE <br />1. Oil Shale <br />2. Coal <br /> a. generation of <br /> electricity <br /> b. gasification <br />3. Uranium <br />4. Oil & Gas <br />5. Municipal <br /> TOTAL <br /> <br />WATER REQUIRED <br />(A/F per year) <br /> <br />COST <br />(in $l,OOOs) <br /> <br />95,000 <br /> <br />57,600 <br /> <br />36,000 <br /> <br />59,400 <br /> <br />7,500 <br /> <br />12,400 <br /> <br />1,500 <br /> <br />2,500 <br /> <br />400 <br /> <br />700 <br /> <br />20,500* <br /> <br />~) <br />,~ <br /> <br />40,500 <br /> <br />210,500 <br /> <br />*These figures represent withdrawal quantities. The consumptive use for <br />municipal supply will average about one half of the withdrawal amount. <br /> <br />This water use would cover all types of energy fuels and municipal supply to <br />accommodate the increased population. It would include primary construction <br />of storage reservoirs, pipelines, and ground water development. Problems <br />with the high scenario include the ability to obtain funds for the capital <br />improvements, the impact on environmental conditions and endangered species, <br />salinity control, the lack of good quality ground water for municipal and <br />industrial use, and the time-lag in developing or acquiring water rights <br />to suit the schedule of energy development. <br /> <br />The Division of Water Resources has identified a significant impact on <br />the administration of water rights from the high scenario of energy produc- <br />tion. This is related to the protection of existing water rights, as well <br />as the protection of potable water supplies, in the energy development <br />area. There would also be a problem with water storage in the event of <br />surface disposal of water produced by energy development, where the water <br />quality had the potential for contamination of stream flows. There might <br />also be a disruption of aquifers by cross-contamination, depletion of <br />artesian pressure, or actual elimination of aquifers. Such an impact <br />would not only affect the existing rights to water, but could seriously <br />destroy future water resource potential. In the case of coal production 1 <br />and oil shale production there is inadequate aquifer information leading <br />to the potential for lengthy litigation over (~) interference with vested <br />rights, (2) the transfer of water rights, and (3) approval of plans for <br />augmentation. <br />