WSP07412

• File Number: 8281.950
• Description: Colorado River Studies and Investigations -- Upper Colorado Comprehensive Framework Study
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 6/1/1971
• Title: Upper Colorado Region Comprehensive Framework Study - Appendix XV -- Water Quality - Pollution Control and Health Factors
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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Electric Power Production

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The Upper Colorado Region is projected to become a major
center for the generation of electrical power. A 3,000
percent increase in plant capacity is projected by the year
2000. Most of this planned production is for export out
of the Region. Coal-fired thermal power generation will
provide an estimated ninety eight percent of the electric
power.

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with the tremendous thermal pollution potential of the
projected power production, it is exceedingly fortunate that
waste heat from power generation is amenable to treatment
or control at a reasonable cost. Information presented in
the Electric Power Appendix indicates that use of cooling
ponds or towers is planned for future power generating works.

The selection of appropriate sites for locating power
plants so as to minimize environmental damage poses a
significant challenge to both the industry and government.
Environmental concerns will necessitate the consideration
of many more factors in the planning of power production
facilities than has been the practice in the past. In
addition to thermal pollution control, a number of other
selection factors make siting very complicated--aesthetic
impact, availability of water supply, safety, air pollution
control, access to transportation and others. Installation
of facilities, such as cooling towers to cOntrol thermal
pollution will affect cost factors and require more space
for the plant and may make it more difficult to meet
aesthetic goals. Siting is likely to become an increasingly
difficult and controversial factor in the continued growth
of power production,

Health Factors

Data on morbidity and mortality indicate that rates of
occurrence of potentially waterborne disease for the Region
are 2.5 times that for the rest of the country. The need
for better epidemiological data to assess what portions
of these disease occurrences are due to waterborne pathogens
is indicated.

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The once protected watersheds used for water supplies
are becoming more occupied by man, expecially in his
recreational pursuits, and thus more susceptible to
pollution and comtamination. Water supplies vary from those

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