WSP03861

• File Number: 8276.500.30
• Description: Glenwood-Dotsero Springs Unit - Aqua-Chem Desalination/Cogeneration Plant
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 11/1/1993
• Title: Glenwood Springs Desalination Project Summary
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Project Overview

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GLENWOOD SPRINGS DESALINATION PROJECT SUMMARY

OVERVIEW: Aqua-Chem, a Milwaukee-based corporation and their joint venture partners have
just completed their initial feasibility assessment of building and operating a $45 MM privatized
desalination plant in South Canyon near Glenwood Springs, CO. The joint venture partners would
be Aqua-Chem, Inc., Jones Capital Corporation and a major salt producer. The proposed project
will make a significant contribution to Colorado River basin salinity control measures by achieving
an annual salt removal capacity eqUivalent to 25% of all federal salinity control programs in place.
As reported in the Salinity Control Forum's 1993 Review, economic losses due to river salinity are
estimated to be $750 MM per year throughout the seven-state Colorado River basin.

BENEFITS:
. Eliminates -70,000 tons of salt loading into the Colorado river per year
No federal risk - Private entity develops, finances, builds and operates the plant.
Measurable results - Federal dollars would pay ONLY for actual salt removed.
Water quality savings for downstream users (-$2 MM for Clifton Water Dist. over 30 yr. )
. Provides substantial tax revenues for Garfield County
. Facilitates continued development of a westward bike path

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The highly saline Geothermal waters from the Glenwood Springs
aquifer would be diverted via a piping system to the desalination plant located in a non-urbanized
area. The underground pipeline would be routed along the 1-70 corridor approximately four miles
west to South Canyon. Preliminary discussions indicate a multi-purpose easement might help
facilitate implementation of a planned bike path west of the city limits. The plant site under primary
consideration is located on city-owned land in South Canyon adjacent to the city's landfill. The
piped water would be processed in a combined membrane and thermal evaporator plant, referred
to in the industry as a "hybrid" system, which uses an energy efficient combination of electrical and
thermal power. (The plant will not produce power for the grid.) The recovered salt, averaging
nominally 200 tons per day, will be packaged and transported to commercial food grade markets.
The plant is environmentally sound as air emissions will meet strictest standards and there is no
wastewater discharge. Ninety nine per cent plus (99%+) of the Geothermal water will be returned
to the river as pure water, substantially cleaner than required for drinking water.

STATE & LOCAL SUPPORT: The Glenwood Springs City Council voted to encourage project
development and to negotiate a lease option on city-owned land in South Canyon. Because of the
favorable impact on river quality, the project is also supported by the Colorado River Basin
Conservation District, the Colorado Water Conservation Board, the Clifton Water District, Club 20
and the (seven-state) Salinity Control Forum.

CURRENT STATUS: The Salinity Control Forum unanimously passed a Resolution of support
for the project on October 27th and recommended the Bureau of Reclamation work with Aqua-
Chem to reach a satisfactory agreement. Subsequent project authorization and appropriation is
required by the Congress to validate the BOR Cooperative Agreement. This action will ensure a
revenue stream for salt removal services for thirty years beginning in 1997 and enable the private
development process to continue. November 1993

7800 N. 113th Sl. . Milwaukee, WI 53224-3136 . P.O. Box 421 . Milwaukee. WI 53201-0421 . Phone [phone] . Fax [phone]