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