WATER SUPPLY DILEMMAS OF GEOTHERMAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE IMPERIAL VALLEY OF CALIFORNIA¹

Abstract

There are four known geothermal resource areas in the Imperial Valley that have a combined potential of over 4,000 megawatts of electrical energy for 25 years. Water resources available to support geothermal enerfy development are imprted Colorado River water, agricultural waste waters, Salton Sea water, and groundwater. In addtion, geothermal power plants can produce their own cooling water from steam condensate. Nevertheless, the relatively high water requirements of geothermal facilities along with a series of real and potential constraints may cause water supply dilemmas involving both the acquistion and use of cooling water. Important constraints are institutional policies, water supply costs, technical problems, and impacts upon the Salton Sea. These constranits and related dilemmas are examined in light of relevanty information on the valley's water resources, geothermal resources and energy technologies, cooling water requrements, and water supply options.

Balancing energy and the environment: the case of geothermal development

“…Because of scarce water supplies, the California State Water Re- has n o t been proved (Layton, 1976). However, because of t h e l i m i t e d supply of p o t a b l e ground water i n t h e I m p e r i a l Valley, t h e p o t e n t i a l f o r a c c i d e n t a l p o l l u t i o n of surf a c e water i s of g r e a t e r concern t o developers and r e s i d e n t s a l i k e .…”