Yuma Desalting Plant
As a part of Minute 242 and its intention to define a “permanent and definitive solution” to the international salinity problem of water deliveries to Mexico, the USBR was authorized to construct and operate the Yuma Desalting Plant (YDP) to treat Wellton Mohawk Irrigation and Drainage District’s (WMIDD) drainage water, and deliver the treated water as a part of the U.S. treaty obligations for water deliveries to Mexico.
Due to different factors, YDP has remained largely inactive since construction was completed in 1992. Current drought conditions and increased water uses exacerbate the vulnerability of Lower Basin users to Colorado River’s water shortages. This has motivated water users to evaluate the operation of YDP (2010 Pilot Operation Run and Evaluation of Technological Advancements and Alternative Feed Water Supplies for Operation of Yuma Desalting Plant- CRADA Report) as well as consider alternatives to operating the plant (Yuma Desalting Plant (YDP) Long Term Operational Alternatives).
