News Releases
San Diego County Water Authority
News Release: April 28, 2005 |
Contact:
John Liarakos
Office (858) 522-6703
Mobile (858) 761-2544 |
or
Donna Nenow
Office (858) 522-6707
Mobile (858) 414-8168 |
Water Authority board approves seawater desalination agreement with Carlsbad
Agencies to begin planning for regional facility at Encina Power Station
The San Diego County Water Authority board of directors today approved an agreement
with the city of Carlsbad that defines how the two agencies plan to work together
to develop a regional seawater desalination plant at the Encina Power Station
in Carlsbad. Last week, the Carlsbad City Council, the Carlsbad Municipal Water
District, and the Carlsbad Housing and Redevelopment Commission unanimously
approved the agreement.
The agreement between the two agencies focuses on a single regional project
that will allow the Water Authority to deliver desalinated seawater throughout
San Diego County and provide a local supply for Carlsbad.
Seawater desalination figures prominently in the Water Authority’s long-term
strategy to diversify the region’s water supply. By 2020, regional seawater
desalination plants could produce up to 15 percent of the water needed in San
Diego County. A proposed seawater desalination facility at the Encina Power
Station in Carlsbad is the region’s most immediate and promising opportunity
to bring this new water supply to the county.
The agreement sets forth the specific terms and conditions for a partnership
between the two agencies. This sets the stage for a collaborative project that
could begin producing drought-proof water for San Diego County as soon as 2010.
The agreement guarantees Carlsbad up to 5,000 acre-feet of water per year
as a local supply, enhancing the reliability of the city’s water supply
during times of drought or cutbacks. It also addresses the city’s concerns
about economic impacts of public agency development in the South Carlsbad Coastal
Redevelopment Area where the project is proposed. In support of achieving long-standing
land use planning goals in the South Carlsbad Coastal Redevelopment area, the
Water Authority would provide approximately $20 million in financial contributions
to the redevelopment area to fund public enhancement projects that will improve
coastal access for residents and visitors, enhance recreation and improve traffic
flow in the area.
The Water Authority will now invite the other stakeholders; Cabrillo Power
I LLC and Poseidon Resources, to discuss how all four parties might work together
on a partnership structure that results in development of a regional seawater
desalination facility to serve all of San Diego County. Cabrillo Power is the
site host and owner of the Encina Power Station. Poseidon Resources, a private
company, is the leaseholder on a potential site for seawater desalination facilities
at the Encina Power Station.
The Water Authority, in close coordination with Carlsbad, will complete its
environmental impact report on the regional project for certification by its
board of directors in late 2005. Once the EIR is certified, the board will be
able to approve the project and move ahead with development of the regional
project.
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The San Diego County Water Authority is a public agency serving
the San Diego region as a wholesale supplier of water from the Colorado River
and Northern California. The Water Authority works through its 23 member agencies
to provide a safe, reliable water supply to support the region’s $142
billion economy and the quality of life of 3 million residents.
Carlsbad is the seventh largest and third fastest growing city
in the County of San Diego. The 42 square mile city, incorporated in 1952, and
bounded by three lagoons and seven miles of Pacific coastline is home to 93,000
residents. Carlsbad is governed by a Mayor, who is directly elected by popular
vote and four elected City Council members.
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