News Release Archive

Reclamation Awards $7.2 Million Contract for Salinity Control Unit Operation

Media Contact: Lisa Iams, (801) 524-3673, 12/06/2007 21:57
Justyn Hock, jhock@uc.usbr.gov

For Release: December 06, 2007

The Bureau of Reclamation today awarded a contract for $7.2 million for the operation and maintenance of the Paradox Valley Unit, an important Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program facility.

The contract was awarded to Burns and Roe Services Corporation, of Virginia Beach, Virginia for a period of up to five years to manage the facility's operations. The Paradox Valley Unit, located on the Dolores River near Bedrock, Colorado, is designed to intercept extremely saline groundwater before it reaches the Dolores River. The brine is disposed of by deep well injection (approximately 15,932 feet in depth) and has a measurable salinity disposal rate of 100,000-120,000 tons of salt per year.

"The Paradox Valley Unit plays an important role in the overall success of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program," said Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner, Robert Johnson. "We are pleased to award this contract to provide for the cost-effective disposal of brine that would otherwise adversely affect water quality the Dolores River and the Colorado River."

Reclamation has oversight responsibility for the Paradox Valley Unit including technical guidance and contract administration. The day-to-day operation and maintenance responsibilities are done by contract. The previous five-year contract for operation and maintenance of Paradox Valley was also awarded to Burns and Roe Services Corporation.

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