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Seawater
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 scarce, and produces
very safe, high-quality water suitable for drinking.
With recent technological advances, seawater desalination
represents a new, safe, and drought-proof water supply
that will reduce the San Diego region's over-reliance
on imported water from the Colorado River and Northern
California. Several seawater desalination facilities
are under consideration in San Diego County that will
significantly increase local water available to serve
the region. Future seawater desalination facilities
will likely use reverse osmosis technology, now
regarded as the most efficient and cost-effective
desalination process. Reverse osmosis uses high
pressure pumps to force seawater through
semi-permeable membranes. This process separates
salts, minerals and other impurities leaving only very
high-quality fresh drinking water.
For more information on
seawater desalination, visit
the
Carlsbad Desalination Project website.
Until
recently, seawater desalination was not considered a
viable water supply option for California because of
its high cost. However, continuing advances in reverse
osmosis technology have significantly reduced the cost
of seawater desalination. Further, cost savings can be
achieved by locating seawater desalination facilities
adjacent to existing coastal power plants. Today,
seawater desalination is cost-competitive with other
new water supply options available to the region.
The San
Diego County Water Authority and its member agencies
are evaluating coastal power plant locations that may
be suitable for a seawater desalination facility.
Potential sites include the
Encina Power Station in Carlsbad the San Onofre Nuclear
Generating Station in northern San Diego County and
locations in South County.
For additional information on Desalination, visit:
California Coastal Commission-Background discussion
of Desalination in California
In-depth report on existing and proposed
desalination facilities and the California
San Diego County Water Authority |
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