Internet Based, GIS Catalog of Non-Traditional Sources of Cooling Water for Use at America's Coal-Fired Power Plants Page: 5 of 28
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Executive Summary
The objective of this project is to minimize high quality freshwater withdrawal and consumption
requirements by creating an internet-based, GIS catalog of non-traditional sources of cooling wa-
ter for coal-fired power plants. The project was designed to share available data to allow the
economic beneficial use of oil and gas produced water, abandoned coal mine water, municipal
waste water, and lower quality ground water.
All Consulting (ALL) has developed a nation-wide catalog of publicly available data on the loca-
tion, quantity and quality of non-traditional water sources relative to power plants. The Catalog
identifies the location and capacity of each coal-fired power plant in the lower 48 states. The in-
ventory also identifies, to the extent possible, the location, volume, and quality of the various
alternate water sources near those plants across the nation. The application is available over the
internet. By simply clicking a power plant location on a map, the user can see the various po-
tential water sources that exists near-by, the quality of the water, the volumes available, and the
distance to those waters. This allows evaluation of options for using alternative water sources
and allows an assessment of the costs of accessing these waters to supplement or replace current
supply on a short-term or long-term basis.
The application, called the Alternate Water Source Information System (AWSIS) has been com-
pleted and posted on the internet. The application can be accessed through the project web-site
at http://www.all-llc.com/projects/coal water alternatives/. Through the use of a Google Earth
interface, the user is able to select a power plant by clicking on a map symbol or by searching for
a particular power plant by plant name or operator (See example screen captures in Navigating
AWSIS Section). Clicking on the map symbol will display a pop-up balloon with some basic
plant information. Additional power plant information and a summary of any alternative water
sources available within a 24.14-km (15-miles) radius can be viewed by clicking "View Plant &
Water Summary Data" in the pop-up balloon. If the summary data indicates that data for alterna-
tive water sources in the 24.14-km (15-miles) radius are present, the detailed dataset can be
viewed by clicking on the appropriate data tab. Clicking on the tab will display the available lo-
cation, volume, and quality data for each of the alternative water sources present within the
24.14-km (15-miles) radius. Users may also change the search radius by clicking on the Water
Search Radius drop-down arrow and selecting the desired radius. For each radius selected, the
application will locate and display data for alternative water sources within that search radius.
At any time, the user may click "Return to Map" to return back to the opening page and select or
search for another power plant. This application allows users to quickly assess the publicly
available data for alternative water sources that could potentially be used to supplement or re-
place existing cooling water sources.
Throughout the project, work progressed on schedule, all milestones were met, and all project
deliverables were submitted on time. The on-line system, Alternative Water Source Information
System (AWSIS) was completed and posted to the internet ahead of schedule. System testing
and incorporation of feedback by the PAC and other stakeholders was completed in July of 2011.2
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Arthur, J. Daniel. Internet Based, GIS Catalog of Non-Traditional Sources of Cooling Water for Use at America's Coal-Fired Power Plants, report, September 30, 2011; United States. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc841367/m1/5/: accessed April 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.