A 604-MW thermal generating facility in New Mexico was spending $107,000 per month and increasing its environmental footprint due to vehicle emissions and road dust from hauling wastewater offsite via a third-party contractor. This practice constrained operating cash and required material quantities of plant staff’s time and energy.
CAMS reviewed the feasibility of alternative wastewater disposal methods and negotiated with the local regulatory agency to allow wastewater reclamation via irrigation. CAMS personnel also worked with the adjacent landowner to install a center pivot irrigation system on 80-acres of farmland.
The recommended system saved the plant owner approximately $10.9 million. In addition, the center pivot system supplements irrigation water to raise several beneficial crops. The act of goodwill strengthened ties with the local farming community and other stakeholders, ultimately improving community relations.