WSP07180

• File Number: 8043
• Description: Section D General Studies-Salinity
• State: CO
• Date: 6/1/1971
• Author: WaterPowerResources
• Title: Improving Municipal Water Supplies in Colorado by Desalting
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

Section 2

INTRODUCTION

The Office of Saline Water, U.S. Department of the Interior, and the State
of Colorado, Department of Natural Resources, have shown interest in the poten-
tial application of saline water technology to the problem of improving the
quality of existing municipal water supplies. This potential appears to exist
in a number of cities and towns located in Colorado. Of particular concern
are the smaller communities where the high salinity* of the existing or future
water supplies may be a factor in inhibiting economic development and growth.
The possibility of stimulating the economy, improving the situation for exist-
ing population, and improving discharge water quality provide justification
for Federal and State concern.

Generally, several methods or techniques are capable of reducing the sa-
linity of. waters to acceptable levels. A number of these have been developed
and/or improved under the sponsorship of the Office of Saline Water. Due to
the variability of different supplies, as well as differences in the efficiency
and cost of different desalting methods, the selection of one method in prefer-
ence to another is not obvious. In addition, because many factors influence
both capital and operating costs, the minimum cost system is seldom readily
identified. Although engineering feasibility studies normally are performed
to identify the system which will meet the minimun specifications at minimum
cost, these investigations do not always indicate the complete cost advantage
and the overall economic impact of the system. It is important to investigate
both the technical and the economic feasibility of any potential desalting sys-
tem.

This report covers the work performed jointly by the URS Research Company
and Ken R. White Company (both subsidiaries of the URS Systems Corporation)
under contract with the State of Colorado, Department of Natural Resources
(Colorado Water Conservation Board) and the Office of Saline Water, U.S. De-
partment of the Interior. The contract calls for an objective study to inves-
tigate and assess the technical and economic feasibility of using various de-
salting techniques to improve water quality in selected communities of Colorado.
Specific objectives of the study were to:

1. Identify communities within Colorado wherein need for water quality
improvement exists.

2. Analyze the current water supply, demand, price and quality situation.

*

"Salinity" as used in this report refers to "total dissolved solids." This
terminology follows that normally used by the Office of Saline Water.

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