Arizona’s Dormant Desalination Plant: A Potential Revival
Arizona’s water challenges have long been a topic of concern, and Congressman Andy Biggs is looking to address them by reviving an underutilized resource. The Yuma Desalting Plant, built in 1992, was intended to convert saline agricultural runoff into potable water but has seen minimal use since its completion.
During a recent meeting with GOP lawmakers at the Arizona Capitol, Biggs highlighted the potential of securing federal funding to breathe new life into the plant. “When I talked to the Bureau of Reclamation, they told me that we should apply for a grant. And we think it’s going to be pretty expensive, but there is some money there. If we can get that grant, we could actually get the desalt facility up and running,” Biggs stated.
The Yuma Desalting Plant’s inactivity stems from a surplus of water deemed sufficient by the government nearly 35 years ago, making its operation unnecessary. However, restarting the facility now would require an enormous financial investment, including tens of millions for upgrades and additional funds for maintenance and operation.
Compounding the issue is the ecological impact caused by the plant’s initial construction, which inadvertently led to the formation of the Cienega de Santa Clara, a large wetland now under protection. Resuming operations could potentially disrupt this protected ecosystem, presenting legal challenges.
Arizona has been contemplating desalination as a solution to its water supply issues for several years. The state’s Water Infrastructure Finance Authority is assessing the possibility of establishing a new desalination plant in California or Mexico to bolster water reserves. For more details, visit here.
In addition to desalination, Biggs has been participating in discussions regarding Colorado River water management. He mentioned that current negotiations offer little in terms of positive outcomes. “I’m not going to mince words,” he candidly expressed. Despite the challenges, Biggs is collaborating with Democratic Senator Mark Kelly to influence river management policies. They have collectively urged U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum to reconsider a draft environmental impact statement, which they find unfavorable to Arizona. For more insights, see this document.
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