Yuma Desalting Plant
The Yuma Desalting Plant (YDP) was constructed under authority of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act of 1974 to treat saline irrigation return flow and to include the treated (desalinated) water in water deliveries to Mexico under the Treaty of 1944 (Treaty). Due to historically favorable hydrologic conditions on the Colorado River and budget constraints, the YDP has generally not operated since its construction, though it has been maintained.
In recent years, however, steady increases in water demand in each of the three lower Basin States (Arizona, California, and Nevada) coupled with the effects of a prolonged drought over the entire Colorado River Basin has prompted continued interest in plant operation.
In 2007, Reclamation completed a demonstration run of the plant. The results of the run and historical assessments of the YDP include:
- 2007 YDP Demonstration Run Report (517 MB)
- YDP Readiness Assessment, October 2002 (415 KB)
- YDP Readiness Assessment Update, April 2004 (416 KB)
- Phase II Aluminum Bronze Piping Assessment for the YDP, March 2008
(3.36 MB)
- Part 1 Appendix A through F (6.11 MB)
- Part 2 Appendix G through L (2.12 MB)
Key Facts:
- The Yuma Desalting Plant is located on 60 acres of land about five miles west of Yuma, Arizona.
- As one of the world's largest reverse osmosis desalting plants, the YDP can produce about 72.4 million gallons of desalted water per day from a total of approximately 102.7 million gallons of saline irrigation return flow.
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| Aerial view of Yuma Desalting Plant Complex |
Updated: Jan 2009