Dateland Inland Desalination Water Treatment Plant

Yuma, Arizona

PACE provided the Dateland Public Service Co. (DPSC) with selection of inland-desalination alternatives, engineering design, environmental permitting, and grant funding application services to improve and expand their existing groundwater Reverse Osmosis (RO) treatment system to a capacity of 150,000 GPD. PACE also prepared the Preliminary Engineering Report and Environmental Report per the RUS Bulletin to assist the utility corporation in securing USDA RD funding.  This effort resulted in the award of a $2.4 million USDA Rural Development grant for the project. In addition to the mechanical process work, PACE provided design of a PV solar system to power the plant, which was constructed as part of the second phase of the project. The solar power generation system for this facility is the first in Arizona to be funded by the USDA RD.

The groundwater in the Dateland basin contains several trace contaminants including arsenic and fluoride, has irrigation inhibitors boron, chloride, and sodium, and overall contains high levels of TDS.  The contaminants must be removed to comply with primary and secondary drinking water standards.  PACE investigated several process modifications and alternatives to deliver a cost effective, flexible and fundable project using an advanced RO process.  The upgrade and expansion allows reuse of existing infrastructure, but with significantly higher permeate recovery than the existing RO system, to produce more “wet” water from the existing supply, reducing waste and improving efficiency.  The design provided achieves more wet water with an advanced pretreatment system with particulates, iron, and hardness removal to benefit water recovery, prolong membrane life, and reduce boron which is harmful to irrigated plants.

Advanced Elements:

  • Investigation of several process modifications and alternatives using performance-based specifications to ensure Utility’s objectives were met and federal funds were secured.
  • Upgrade reverse osmosis system to innovative high recovery process to reduce waste and improve plant efficiency.
  • Alternative energy design for use of photovoltaic solar systems to further provide energy efficiency and lower capital cost.