Fresh Water Coming Right Up!

Officials have voted "yes" on a proposed $30M desalination plant project adjacent to the beach in Carlsbad. The project is controversial and has been back and forth to the drawing board for environmental revisions before receiving approval. Although the proposal was backed by several area mayors, multiple environmental groups say that the benefit of the fresh water it will produce is paled by the damage it would cause to marine life. This project had been tentatively approved last November, but with 22 set conditions that would include reducing damage to fish and plants and capping the greenhouse gas emissions within the salt-to-fresh water process. Voters agreed late last week that the 22 conditions were satisfied.

The plant, a significant addition to the existing Encina power plant facility, is designed to produce up to 50 million gallons of fresh water daily, an estimated 9% of San Diego County's water consumption. Those behind the project would like to begin construction immediately with a targeted 2011 completion date, hoping to resolve, at least in part, San Diego's ongoing need for water. As it stands, there is almost no groundwater supply, so nearly all of the water is transported from a small share of the Colorado River's supply, which is also affected by drought. Additionally, there is restricted water flow from Northern California through the California Aqueduct, the result of a court decision. The issue with the proposed Carlsbad desalination plant will go to the State level before construction can begin, but so far things are looking fresh for the water supply.