Arizona’s Dormant Desalination Plant: A Potential Solution to Water Woes?
In the midst of Arizona’s ongoing water challenges, Republican Congressman and gubernatorial candidate Andy Biggs has set his sights on revitalizing a dormant desalination plant in Yuma. Built in 1992, this facility was originally intended to convert saline agricultural runoff into potable water. However, it has been largely inactive, operating only twice in the decades since its completion.
During a recent discussion with GOP lawmakers at the Arizona Capitol, Biggs emphasized the need for federal funding to breathe life back into the Yuma Desalting 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 plant’s closure is attributed to a water surplus that made its operations seem unnecessary more than 35 years ago. However, reopening it now would require significant financial investment, with costs estimated in the tens of millions for upgrades and additional millions to maintain operations.
Complicating matters further, the construction of the plant inadvertently led to the creation of the Cienega de Santa Clara, a large wetland now recognized as a protected area. Restarting the plant could pose threats to this ecosystem and introduce potential legal challenges.
Arizona’s interest in desalination isn’t new. The state’s Water Infrastructure Finance Authority is considering investments in a new desalination facility, possibly located in California or Mexico, to bolster its water resources. Explore more on Arizona’s desalination projects.
Beyond desalination, Biggs is also involved in discussions about the Colorado River, a critical water source for the region. He mentioned ongoing negotiations about enhancing water storage and constructing additional dams, but admitted that progress is slow. “I’m not going to mince words,” he said regarding the current state of talks.
In a bipartisan effort, Biggs is working with Democratic Senator Mark Kelly to challenge recent federal plans that were not favorable to Arizona. They have urged U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum to reconsider a draft environmental impact statement that could result in detrimental water cuts for the state. Read more about the Colorado River negotiations.
