A study was made of an irrigated area in Arizona to evaluate costs and benefits associated with desalting saline ground water from seven wells as an improved water source for irrigation. Both multistage flash distillation (MSF) and electrodialysis (ED) processes were evaluated. The study area involved 1376 acres near Buckeye, Arizona. Well water quality varied from 1580 to 4600 ppm. Irrigation water qualities of 400, 900, and 1500 ppm are developed by the two processes. Adaptable cropping patterns are selected for maximum returns. A total of six alternative plans are compared. Direct, indirect, and public benefits for the projected year of 1990 are generated by shifts to higher value crops, intensive double cropping, increased crop yields, reduced water use, reduced fertilizer costs, reduced irrigation labor, and from increased flow of farm products. Costs are based on such features as the desalting facilities, well water collection system, product storage reservoir, conveyance and distribution system, brine disposal system, blending facilities (MSF only), gypsum addition system (ED only), and water treatment facilities. Benefit-cost ratios increased with improved water quality. Investment costs per acre were found to be high. The most favorable benefitcost ratio involved use of the ED process at a water quality level of 400 ppm.
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