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<br />Ability of Title I to Support Program Objectives <br /> <br />drainage, Otherwise, the United States <br />would have no means of replacing any <br />bypassed drainage. <br /> <br />" <br /> <br />Additionally, if the YDP is not operated <br />and the salinity ofthe river is very low, <br />Reclamation could be required to bypass all <br />WMIDD irrigation drainage, plus a portion <br />of the irrigation drainage from the South <br />Gila Drainage Pump Outlet Channels <br />(located between Imperial and Morelos <br />Dams). <br /> <br />Effect on Relations With Mexico <br /> <br />If the United States decides not to operate <br />the YDP, Mexico could view this <br />as unwillingness to comply with Minute <br />No. 242, which was created as the <br />permanent and definitive solution to the <br />salinity problem. Relations with Mexico <br />could be further strained over the salinity <br />differential to be maintained in the future. <br />While Minute No, 242 provides for an <br />average annual differential of 115 ppm plus <br />or minus 30 ppm, the United States is <br />under pressure to maintain the differential <br />at 115 ppm at all times. To conserve water <br />for use in the United States, the Basin <br />States could urge a differential closer to <br />145 ppm (115 ppm plus 30 ppm), <br /> <br />Advancing Desalting <br />Technologies <br /> <br />In support ofthe YDP, Reclamation has <br />actively pursued desalting research and <br />development and technology transfer, This <br />work will serve to advance desalting <br />technologies as well to increase YDP <br />efficiencies and reduce operating costs, <br /> <br />Previous Research and Development <br /> <br />Significant programs carried out at the <br />Yuma Desalting Test Facility in the 1970's <br /> <br />and early 1980's included (1) developing <br />suitable pretreatment for the desalting <br />units, (2) testing proposed desalting <br />equipment, (3) developing a research <br />program with desalting equipment <br />manufacturers to develop larger scale <br />equipment than previously available, and <br />(4) proof-testing desalting equipment chosen <br />for the YDP,' (See chapter III, "Design <br />Considerations. ") <br /> <br />The pretreatment program quickly dem- <br />onstrated the difficulty in making the feed <br />water (a surface water supply) suitable for <br />the desalting units, Numerous commercial <br />water clarification processes were tested <br />before a partial lime-softening process was <br />selected, <br /> <br />Before Reclamation issued a request for <br />proposal for desalting equipment, potential <br />suppliers were allowed to test reverse <br />osmosis and electrodialysis equipment on <br />pretreated water at the YDTF, (See chapter <br />Ill, "Process Selection.") Most of the major <br />manufacturers provided one or more <br />desalting systems for the initial testing. All <br />systems tested exhibited some technical <br />problems or weaknesses, Some problems <br />and weaknesses were correctable; others <br />were too severe and the process or <br />equipment was abandoned, redesigned, or <br />replaced. Each manufacturer performed as <br />much testing as desired within the initial <br />test period, and test data from each unit <br />were collected and made available during <br />the testing, <br /> <br />Individual manufacturers also carried out a <br />program to develop larger scale equipment <br />for the YDP, which led to the development <br />of the 8- and 12-inch-diameter pressure <br />vessels that will be used in the YDP, These <br />vessels are now available for domestic and <br />world desalting markets, <br /> <br />Proof tests were performed on full-scale <br />vessels provided by successful offerors, <br />These tests led to improvements in the <br /> <br />31 <br />