• Arizona Department of Water Resources releases report on brackish groundwater.
• Study identifies 21 areas with potential for desalination.
• Estimated groundwater in storage ranges from 530 to 700 million acre-feet.
• Four areas selected for further evaluation.
• Report provides foundation for future planning and development.

August 22, 2024 — The Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) has released a new report on the state’s brackish groundwater resources, offering a glimpse into a potential solution for augmenting Arizona’s limited water supplies. The report, prepared by Montgomery & Associates, identifies 21 areas around the state where brackish groundwater – water with higher salt content than freshwater but lower than seawater – could be desalinated and used to supplement existing water sources.

Key Findings from Mongtomery Brackish Groundwater Report.

• The report estimates that between 530 and 700 million acre-feet of groundwater are stored in these 21 areas, with roughly half of that volume located in the Lower Colorado River Plateau basin.
• Four areas – Gila Bend, Ranegras Plain, West Salt River Valley, and the Little Colorado River Plateau – were selected for further evaluation due to their potential for large-scale desalination.
• The Little Colorado River Plateau, with its vast C-aquifer, is the largest brackish groundwater area in the state. However, the region’s geological complexity poses significant challenges for development.
• While the report does not include policy or cost considerations, it provides a crucial foundation for planning the future development of brackish groundwater resources in Arizona.

Feasibility and Potential Impacts.

ADWR’s report underscores the importance of continued research and investment in desalination technologies. While brackish groundwater presents a promising opportunity to enhance Arizona’s water security, further study is needed to understand large-scale desalination projects’ feasibility and potential impacts fully. As Arizona faces ongoing challenges related to drought and water scarcity, brackish groundwater may offer a vital resource for the future.

Download the full report here.

Image:

Little Colorado River canyon, April 2004 by Daniel Mayer.  Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 1.0 Generic license.

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