WSP07376

• File Number: 8278.100
• Description: Title I - Yuma Desalting Plant
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 8/1/1988
• Author: USDOI/BOR
• Title: Operation and Maintenance Funding for the Yuma Desalting Plant, Draft Special Report
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

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The const:ruction of the YDP was authorized by Public Law 93-320 signed

June 24, 1974 (as arrended by Public Law 96-336), as part of the pe:ananent

solution to meet the salinity differentials (115 ;t30 p/m) specified by the

Minute and to save water for use within the Basin States. The

construction, which began in Noveroer 1975, will be calpleted in 1991.

The OCIIlpleted YDP would bypass and/or desalt Wellton-M:>hawlc drainage return

water as necessary to maintain acx:eptable salinity levels in the Colorado

River and save water ot:hezwi.se wasted into the Santa Clara Slough. Public

Law 93-320 also requires Federal replacarent of the reject waste stream

fran the YDP.

The annual O&M costs, including energy to = the desalting plant, are
projected to be in excess of $25 million during years of operation. Costs
are estimated at about $5 million for those years the desalting plant is in

a standby status.

CI?El'lATI<Rl ro M!ET KIH7.IE R>. 242

Figure 1 graphically represents the river system between Inperial Dam and

the Northerly International Boundal:y (NIB). As shown in the figure, water

delivered to Mexico cx::mes fran four major sources:

I. Return flows fran i=igation, muni.cipal and industrial use in the Yuma

area, identified as "other flows", that account for about 250,000

acre-feet per year (af/yr). This water has an average salinity of

1,578 p/m.

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