Thursday, Oct 27 2011 4:47PM
Meant to improve irrigation delivery systems, this reduction in salinity would prevent or reduce damage that high salinity causes to municipal and residential water infrastructure
Four irrigation districts in western Colorado will receive a total of $20.1 million in federal funds for salinity reduction, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar recently announced.
Meant to improve irrigation delivery systems, this reduction in salinity would prevent or reduce damage that high salinity causes to municipal and residential water infrastructure. Salinity can also reduce farm yields, according to Reclamation Commissioner Michael Connor.
"Salinity is a costly issue for water users on the Colorado River, and these four projects, when completed, will prevent more than 23,000 tons of salt from entering the Colorado River every year," the secretary stated.
The economic effects in savings on infrastructure repair and improved farm yields could be significant. Reclamation has conducted studies which indicate the cost of salinity-related damage may be higher than $400 million per year already, and will likely increase if measures are not taken.
The projects, including lining of canals and laterals and conversion of existing laterals into pipe delivery system, will create construction jobs for the region. The projects are scheduled to begin this year and conclude by 2016 or earlier.
For further reference, check out this source:
U.S. Department of the Interior