SRP, CAP Hire HDR to Conduct Study for System Interconnection
Interconnection could enhance deliveries for state’s largest water providers
Salt River Project (SRP) and Central Arizona Project (CAP) have agreed to hire HDR to conduct a preliminary engineering feasibility study for an interconnection project that could allow water stored in SRP reservoirs to be pumped into the CAP canal and be delivered to customers.
HDR will evaluate alignment and sizing options, develop engineering drawings and a budgetary cost estimate for the selected approach. The feasibility study will help the two water utilities determine how a project of this type could be constructed. The SRP/CAP Interconnection Facility (SCIF) could increase the use of existing infrastructure and provide additional flexibility for coordinated
operations between two of the largest providers of water in the state.
If the SCIF moves forward it could allow water stored in SRP reservoirs to be transported to customers that have water treatments plants outside of SRP’s water service territory. One example of this are the cities that have ownership of water within the conservation space behind Roosevelt Dam. SRP would be able to deliver water stored by Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, Phoenix and Glendale to municipal treatment plants through CAP, allowing them to better utilize this important water resource.
“Maximizing the use of existing facilities affords the greatest return on investment while providing the greatest water resource benefit for SRP and CAP customers who depend on us for delivering reliable and affordable water,” said Dave Roberts, SRP Associate General Manager of Water Resources.
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SCIF is the reverse of an earlier project between the two water utilities. The CAP/SRP Interconnection Facility (CSIF) was completed in 1990 and allows for the ability to put water from CAP into the SRP delivery system that has resulted in an expanded delivery and enhanced resiliency of the Valley’s water supply.
“While additional studies on operations and water quality will be necessary, this feasibility study should provide information about whether this type of project would be possible from an engineering standpoint, and will help the publicly-elected CAP board make decisions about this in the future,” said Darrin Francom, CAP Director of Operations and Engineering.
SRP and CAP manage the water resources that support central Arizona’s economy.
Arizona’s water history is distinguished by the impact of strategic water infrastructure partnerships that remains true today. Arizona’s future will require the same types of investment in water infrastructure to maintain dependable access to this precious resource now and in the future.
Maximizing the use of existing facilities affords the greatest return on investment while providing the greatest water resource benefit for SRP and CAP customers who depend on us for delivering reliable and affordable water.
While additional studies on operations and water quality will be necessary, this feasibility study should provide information about whether this type of project would be possible from an engineering standpoint, and will help the publicly-elected CAP board make decisions about this in the future.
SRP is a community-based, not-for-profit public power utility and the largest provider of electricity in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, serving more than 1 million customers. SRP is also the metropolitan area’s largest supplier of water, delivering about 800,000 acre-feet annually to municipal, urban and agricultural water users.