WSP07805

• File Number: 8270.100
• Description: Colorado River Basin Water Quality/Salinity -- Misc Water Quality
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 2/1/1984
• Title: Colorado River Water Quality Improvement Program - Meeker Dome Unit Colorado - Preliminary Findings Report - Feb 1984
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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CHAPTER VII

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CONSIDERATION OF ALTERNATIVES

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Formulation and Evaluation

Numerous potential ways of reducing the salt contribution to the
Colorado River from the White River were analyzed concurrent with the
PIQ investigations. The alternatives fell into three general cate-
gories: (I) reducing the salt loading by restricting the source of
the highly saline seepage water, (2) collecting and disposing of the
seepage water with some potential of using that water in a beneficial
way, and (3) doing nothing. Some alternatives were impractical and
were discarded immediately. Others were discarded after being discussed
at public scoping meetings. The remaining alternatives were evaluated
in an appraisal-level study. Each had components that could be re-
arranged to provide new combinations and were evaluated in consideration
of this potential. Following is a brief description of the alternatives
examined.

1.

Plug existing wells.--This alternative involves the in-
stallation of a monitoring network, with the subsequent
reopening and plugging of as many as four exploratory oil
wells on Meeker Dome.

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2. Deep collection well, geothermal heating, oil field dis-
posal.--This alternative calls for collection of 100. F
water by a deep well near the Marland Well, then trans-
porting the water to Meeker, utilizing the water for
geothermal heating, and disposing of the water by trans-
porting it to the Wilson Creek Oil Field to be pumped
into disposal wells.

3. Shallow collection wells, desalting plant, deep well
injection.--Seepage would be collected by shallow wells
on the south flank of Meeker Dome and transported to a
desalting plant where 90 percent recovery would occur.
The treated water would then be used by the town of
Meeker. The 10 percent affluent "ould then be trans-
ported to a suitable site to be pumped into a receiving
formation.

4.

Tile drain collection, deep well injection.--Saline seep-
age water would be collected by a drain system. Once
collected, the water would be transported to a disposal
well for injection into a deep aquifer.

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5. Open drain collection evaporation reservoir.--Saline
seepage water would be collected by an open drain system
along the south flank of the dome. The water would then

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