Desalination is a process that removes salts and other impurities from seawater. It is used in many areas of the world where fresh water is scare, and produces very safe, high-quality water suitable for drinking.

About the Carlsbad Desalination Plant and How it Affects YOU!

San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) Weighted Vote on the Carlsbad Desal Plant Water Purchase Agreement:

85% Yes
10% No

Background:

The Carlsbad Desalination Project is a 50 million gallon per day ocean water desalination plant and conveyance system being developed by Poseidon Resources (Poseidon), a private, investor-owned company.  The project site is on industrially zoned land near the Encina Power Station in Carlsbad.

The San Diego County Water Authority has proposed and approved an agreement to purchase between 48,000 acre-feet and 56,000 acre feet of water from the Poseidon Desal Project. In order to get the water to SDCWA, the project will include a 10-mile, 55-inch conveyance pipeline to the SDCWA’s Second Aqueduct in San Marcos. The SDCWA would make a number of improvements to its pipeline system and the Twin Oaks Valley Water Treatment Plant (Twin Oaks) to integrate desalinated water into the SDCWA’s aqueduct system for a total distance from the plant to Twin Oaks of 15.5 miles. SDCWA improvements to facilities are expected to add $80 million, for a total project cost of $984 million.

Under the water purchase agreement, SDCWA will buy 48,000 acre-feet of water from the project for 30 years with an option to purchase up to 56,000 acre feet. This is equal to 7% to 8% of all the water used in San Diego County.

The project has obtained all required environmental permits and environmental clearances necessary for the construction of the facilities. Prior to commercial operations, Poseidon is required to obtain a permit from the California Department of Public Health to deliver drinking water to the SDCWA’s aqueduct system.

Supporters:

 Elected Officials -

On-Record Opposition:

Otay Water District
California Coastal Protection Network
City of SD Independent Rate Oversight Committee
Ramona Water District
San Diego Surfrider Foundation
The Coastal Environmental Rights Foundation (CERF)

Facility Cost: 

Best Case** Estimated Cost of Poseidon’s Desalinated Water per Acre-Foot:

** Assumes the project is finished on-budget, with no cost overruns, and with no costly changes or modification to the project’s design or operations.

Best Case** Potential Per Month Rate Impact to Otay Customers in 2016:

Important Documents:

• Water Economist David Zetland analysis of the SDCWA-Poseidon Water Purchase Agreement
• Water Purchase Agreement