Upload
elisabeth-edwards
View
214
Download
0
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Binational Desalination: Past Studies and Present
Opportunities
Tom McCannManager, Resource Planning &
Analysis
June 20, 2008
History
• The idea of a desalination project to benefit both Arizona and Sonora is more than 40 years old
• There is a long history of cooperation between the two states to explore desalination
1964
Cooperative research program between University of Arizona and University of Sonora regarding the use of nuclear energy for desalting seawater
1965
President Johnson and President Diaz Ordaz sign an agreement to explore the feasibility of using nuclear power to supply fresh water and electricity to arid areas near the U.S.-Mexico border
1966
Government and university officials from the U.S. and Mexico meet at the University of Arizona to discuss the potential for a nuclear desalting plant on the Gulf of California
1967
Officials from University of Arizona and the State of Sonora work on a cooperative investigation and feasibility study on the economic impact to Arizona and Sonora from a nuclear desalting plant on the Gulf of California
1968
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation reconnaissance report recommends further study of a large-scale desalting plant on the Gulf of California with an aqueduct to transport water to Lake Mead
Los Angeles
San Diego
Lake Mead
USBR 1968 Reconnaissance
Report (Alternative)
Nuclear Desalting Plant
Aqueduct
1968
Joint study by United States, Mexico and International Atomic Energy Agency entitled, “Nuclear Power and Water Desalting Plants for the Southwest United States and Northwest Mexico”
U.S.-Mexico-IAEA Study
Determined that a plant capable of producing 1 billion gallons of fresh water per day (3,785,000 m3/d) would be needed to serve the growing demands of the southwest U.S. and northwest Mexico
US/Mexico/IAEA
1968 Study
Potential Nuclear
Desalination Sites
1968 Conclusion
“…large dual purpose plants using nuclear energy are technically feasible means of providing power and fresh water to the area studied. Additionally, the economic forecasts for these plants appear to be sufficiently attractive to merit further consideration.”
1970
• Arizona Atomic Energy Commission holds special meeting for U.S. and Mexican officials on “The Role of Nuclear Power and Desalting in the Southwestern United States and Northwest Mexico”
• Arizona Governor Williams endorses the desalting program
1971
• U.S. and Mexican officials meet in Mexico City to discuss the project
• Both countries are interested in a large-scale desalting project, but immediate efforts focus on a smaller scale demonstration project
What Happened?
• Colorado River salinity dispute between U.S. and Mexico
• Arizona electric utilities decide to construct Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station
• Missed opportunity?
Today’s Opportunity
Benefits of binational power/desalination project on the Gulf of California:
– High quality drinking water to meet municipal demands in Mexico
– New water supplies for Arizona and other Basin States
– Energy to meet needs in U.S. and Mexico
– Regional economic stimulus