A Cost Benefit Analysis of a Desalination Plant in Carlsbad, New Mexico

Date of Award

6-5-2006

Document Type

Undergraduate Capstone Project

Degree Name

Master of Applied Science

Organizational Unit

University College, Environmental Policy and Management

Disciplines

Environmental Policy & Mgmt

First Advisor

Anton Camarota

Keywords

Desalination, Produced waters, Saline water conversion, Cost effectiveness, Plants, New Mexico

Abstract

The current water shortage has challenged the world to find new technologies that will generate new sources of water. Desalination began in the 1600's, but has not been widely used in the United States. Treatment of brackish or produced waters have been cost prohibitive, however, today many new desalination technologies have lowered the costs substantially. This paper evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of several desalination systems. A cost benefit analysis has been conducted on five different desalination processes within the context of New Mexico's current situation for potential use in Carlsbad, New Mexico. A desalination process has been selected to clean brackish and produced water, in Eddy County, to meet drinking water standards. Desalination of brackish and produced waters will replenish the water needed in the arid desert of New Mexico.

Publication Statement

Copyright is held by the author. Permanently suppressed.

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