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<br />t-- <br />00 <br />..- <br />CD <br /> <br />precipitation transport the predominantly sodium sulfate salts to natural <br />drains and eventually into the streams and rivers. An estimated 430,000 tons <br />of salt annually reach the Colorado River from these two river basins. Of <br />this amount approximately 60 percent is attributed to agriculture. <br /> <br />Five alternative plans have been evaluated to date for controlling <br />salt loading by Reclamation. These alternatives include irrigation systems <br />improvement; using drain water for powerplant cooling; collecting saline water <br />and disposing of it through deep well injection, evaporation ponds, or a <br />desalting plant; using saline water for energy development (coal washing, tar <br />sands, or coal slurry pipeline); and the retirement from irrigation of high <br />salt contributing lands. Of these, the irrigation systems improvement <br />alternative passed the four tests of viability (completeness, effectiveness, <br />efficiency, and acceptability). <br /> <br />The irrigation systems improvement alternative had been selected as <br />the preferred plan. The plan was to consist of two components--lining canals <br />with the highest amount of leakage and lining stockwatering ponds to improve <br />winter watering practices. However, field verification tests conducted during <br />November 1984 indicated that the canal seepage is not as great as expected; <br />consequently, the canal lining component of the plan was deleted. <br /> <br />Reclamation and SCS are looking at new combined alternatives that <br />would include placement of laterals in pipe and a combination of the laterals <br />with the gravity sprinkler irrigation systems. SCS and Reclamation are <br />evaluating potential for a joint and fully coordinated salinity project. <br /> <br />USDA has participated in public meetings to discuss on-farm salinity <br />program and has kept the local sponsors informed on opportunities for funding <br />and technical assistance. <br /> <br />19. Saline Water Use and Disposal Opportunities Unit (Reclamation) <br /> <br />Powerplant Cooling.--Installation of a test loop for saline water <br />cooling has been completed at the Etiwanda Powerplant near Ontario, <br />California. The selected hardware will be evaluated under actual field <br />conditions to verify technical performance and operation. A parallel study of <br />the economic impacts of the test loop and selected hardware is also underway. <br />The economic study is tailored after previous studies completed at the Hunter <br />and Jim Bridger POWerplants. An earlier contract study of saline water use in <br />Jim Bridger Powerplant found that by using side stream softeners and disposal <br />ponds, about 8,000 acre-feet per year of Big Sandy River water could be used. <br />Total in-plant costs were about $70 per ton; however, when the costs of well <br />construction features and pipeline costs were included, the total increased to <br />between $146 to $152 per ton. These costs were not competitive with other <br />salinity control units. <br /> <br />A letter of agreement for cost sharing the hardware study has been <br />extended to December 1986. Cost sharing for the program is provided by <br />Reclamation, EPA, State of California, Sephton Water Technology, Pacific Gas <br />and Electric, and Southern California Edison. <br /> <br />Under an existing basic agreement with consultant Jack Laughlin, a <br />final study contract will examine the technical and economic feasibility of <br />using Lower Virgin River Water at the proposed 1,000 MW Harry Allen Powerplant <br /> <br />VII-27 <br />