2021 Annual Report
Diversification and
Operation
New Fish-Friendly Intake Pumps at Carlsbad Desalination Plant
The Carlsbad Desalination Plant received an upgrade in July 2020, when new fish-friendly seawater intake pumps were commissioned as part of a broader effort to ensure the long-term health of the marine environment near the plant and shores of Agua Hedionda lagoon. The new pumps, combined with additional future investments, will continue to provide the San Diego region with a critically important drought-proof water supply from the Pacific Ocean.
The work to complete construction and commissioning of the new intake pumps was part of the essential work allowed under California guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic. The contractor worked uninterrupted to complete the project per the June 30, 2020, deadline set by the Regional Water Quality Control Board without any health or safety violations.
New intake screens are the final part of upgrades, that will make the Carlsbad Desalination Plant the first desalination facility to comply with the 2015 California Ocean Plan Amendment, which is among the most advanced sea-life protection measures in the world. The work will be completed in 2023.
“We are excited to reach this milestone at the Carlsbad Desalination Plant that highlights our commitment to environmental stewardship. This plant will continue to be a vital regional resource for decades to come, and it demonstrates that environmental enhancements can go hand-in-hand with water supply sustainability. ”
Water Authority