Desalting Demonstration Plant Feasibility Study at Laguna Pueblo, New Mexico

摘要

Water of drinking quality is scarce on the Laguna Reservation, located 20 miles west of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The feasibility of developing a demonstration desalting plant to provide for the water requirements of 2,000 members of the Laguna Pueblo included a review of the existing water resources. Four desalting and three non-desalting alternatives were evaluated. The study included legal, political and socio-economic factors important to developing water supplies in the water scarce environment. Of the brackish water sources, the Rio Puerco was the lowest cost alternative. The fresh water alternative could provide water at $1.93 per 1,000 gallons of water as compared to $4.01 per 1,000 gallons for desalting. The development of the Rio Grande fresh water aquifer would require the purchase of water rights and the City of Albuquerque could oppose such action.