California’s Multibillion-Dollar Desalination Solution for Drought
- 10 years ago
As imported water prices continue to increase and water sources dwindle, California plans to build 17 desalination plants along its coast, with 1 plant alone costing $1 billion.
Facing drought for nearly 4 years now, many California residents fear it may be just the beginning of “a decades-long mega-drought.” As imported water prices continue to increase and water sources dwindle, the state plans to build 17 desalination plants along its coast, with 1 plant alone costing $1 billion.
Sand City, California – with a population of 334 and the only desalination plant supplying a whole city’s needs – provides a small-scale glimpse of how the entire state may be getting its water soon. Besides using the desalination process, Sand City focuses on responsible water usage and gives two-thirds of its water supply to surrounding areas
The proposed plants will convert every 2 gallons of salt water into 1 gallon of drinkable water by reverse osmosis.
Currently 25 percent complete, the $1 billion Carlsbad plant is the Western Hemisphere’s largest. Scheduled to be online in 2016, the plant will use the Pacific Ocean to produce 50 million gallons of water daily.
Price tag examples include a $400 million Monterey county plant and a $150 million Bay Area plant.
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Opposing concerns include cost and environment, including endangered fish pulled in with the salt water and greenhouse gas emissions. Critics recommend recycling, conservation, and new groundwater sources instead.
Regarding cost, water authority studies show “68 percent of ratepayers are willing to pay more for a drought-proof water supply.”
Facing drought for nearly 4 years now, many California residents fear it may be just the beginning of “a decades-long mega-drought.” As imported water prices continue to increase and water sources dwindle, the state plans to build 17 desalination plants along its coast, with 1 plant alone costing $1 billion.
Sand City, California – with a population of 334 and the only desalination plant supplying a whole city’s needs – provides a small-scale glimpse of how the entire state may be getting its water soon. Besides using the desalination process, Sand City focuses on responsible water usage and gives two-thirds of its water supply to surrounding areas
The proposed plants will convert every 2 gallons of salt water into 1 gallon of drinkable water by reverse osmosis.
Currently 25 percent complete, the $1 billion Carlsbad plant is the Western Hemisphere’s largest. Scheduled to be online in 2016, the plant will use the Pacific Ocean to produce 50 million gallons of water daily.
Price tag examples include a $400 million Monterey county plant and a $150 million Bay Area plant.
[cut this fro vo]
Opposing concerns include cost and environment, including endangered fish pulled in with the salt water and greenhouse gas emissions. Critics recommend recycling, conservation, and new groundwater sources instead.
Regarding cost, water authority studies show “68 percent of ratepayers are willing to pay more for a drought-proof water supply.”