Olivenhain district to purchase desalinated water

By: ADAM KAYE - Staff Writer
With shortages imminent, agency looks to bolster local supplies | Monday, October 15, 2007 10:01 PM PDT ∞

ENCINITAS -- With a drought looming and potentially less water flowing from northern California, Olivenhain Municipal Water District board members have voted 5-0 to purchase desalinated water from a plant that could open in Carlsbad by 2011.

"We're used to getting (water) from the north and from the east," Kimberly Thorner, the district's general manager, said Monday. "Those sources aren't as reliable any more."

Poseidon Resources, Inc. is planning to build a desalination plant next to the Encina Power Station on Agua Hedionda Lagoon. Before that can happen, the company must secure approvals from two panels at hearings later this month and next month in San Diego.

The first hearing is an Oct. 30 meeting of the State Lands Commission, a three-member body that includes the lieutenant governor, state controller and director of finance. The agency manages the leasing of tidelands and submerged lands in California.

Next, in November, the California Coastal Commission will consider Poseidon's request for a coastal development permit, which the company must obtain before construction can begin.

Poseidon officials have said the $300 million plant would turn 100 million gallons of seawater into 50 million gallons of drinking water daily.

On Friday, the Olivenhain water board voted 5-0 to purchase 5,000 acre-feet of desalinated water yearly for its customers in portions of Encinitas, Carlsbad, San Diego, San Marcos and the unincorporated area.

An acre-foot is the equivalent of one acre, one feet deep in water.

The water would cost no more than the wholesale price the district pays to San Diego County Water Authority, Thorner said. The district also would be entitled to a $250 rebate for every acre feet of desalinated water it purchases. At 5,000 acre-feet per year, that translates as $1.25 million.

The desalinated water would represent about 10 percent of Olivenhain's supply. The Olivenhain district has roughly 58,000 customers.

Throughout the region, water agencies have weighed alternative sources to curtail demands on imported water, which provides up to nine out of every 10 gallons consumed locally.

Los Angeles-based Metropolitan Water District, which supplies water to San Diego County and five other counties in Southern California, is warning that residents and businesses could face mandatory cutbacks next year because of drought.

The Colorado River's watershed, which provides much water to thirsty Southern California, is in its eighth year of drought.

To the north, drought and endangered fish have meant reduced deliveries from the other main supply, the State Water Project. The project includes a 600-mile network of dams, reservoirs and pipelines that convey snow melt and rainfall from the north part of the state to the south.

Locally, the Olivenhain district is one of eight agencies lining up for a share of desalinated water. Others include the city of Carlsbad, Santa Fe Irrigation District, Rincon Del Diablo Municipal Water District, Sweetwater Authority, Vallecitos Water District, Valley Center Municipal Water District, ÝRainbow Municipal Water District, City of Oceanside and Vista Irrigation District.Ý

In July, the San Dieguito Water District's board -- which doubles as the Encinitas City Council -- voted 3-2 against studying the possible purchase of desalinated water from Poseidon.

The Olivenhain board's vote, by contrast, was unanimous.

"Desalination will enable the (Olivenhain) district to diversify its water supply portfolio while providing us with a reliable, drought-proof water source," said Robert Topolovac, vice president of the Olivenhain water board.

"Right now, the Carlsbad desalination project is the only viable project for the district that is moving forward towards addressing the need for desalination in the region."

-- Contact staff writer Adam Kaye at (760) 901-4074 or akaye@nctimes.com.

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7 comment(s)[-]Go to Top

Sonny wrote on Oct 15, 2007 11:38 PM:Well, I think its clear we are going to need additional sources of water through out san diego county! Why is the Carlsbad plant the only one being considered?

wet wrote on Oct 16, 2007 6:16 AM:Sonny, because Desal is GOING TO BE WAY too expensive. Everyone has been saying you can't afford to live in San DIego. If they are right, this doesn't help. The real solution to minimizing future water crunch must include the word POPULATION size.

Sounds like cheaper water wrote on Oct 16, 2007 8:03 AM:The water would cost no more than the wholesale price the district pays to San Diego County Water Authority, Thorner said. The district also would be entitled to a $250 rebate for every acre feet of desalinated water it purchases. At 5,000 acre-feet per year, that translates as $1.25 million.

Congratulations ! wrote on Oct 16, 2007 8:15 AM:You are going to be assured additional water supply as soon as the desal plant begins operation. We really do need to supplant our imported water supply and make a big change in the way we all dispose of water. We are actually wasting a large portion of our actual water consumption by sending all water into the sewer system. We need to have the cooperation of every building department and water district in implementing a dual system as well as planning ahead for two incoming sources of water, one potable (drinkable) and the other non-potable. If we think of water as having a finite supply, we will modify our thinking. Every water district should sign up with Posiedon for the desal water, so that it becomes a reality.

2nd Desal plant sought wrote on Oct 16, 2007 8:19 AM:Isn't the San Onofre facility in the approval stage of adding Reactor #4 and taking Reactor #5 space and dedicating it to a desal plant (powered by nuclear energy). What is done with the leftover brine or (?). Our water districts need to get on the lists for desal water or we face a moritorium on water meters.

my green lawn wrote on Oct 16, 2007 9:04 AM:Though Desalinated water does cost more in the long run, as the rebates are a false lowering of cost. I will pay the 30-50% increase on the water, as long as its just the water and not sewer or dilevery fees. Check your water bill, the water cost is less that 1/2 the total cost.

wet wrote on Oct 16, 2007 9:24 AM:I am confused. It costs the same? You mean it will be highly subsidized? Who is going to pay for the subsidy?

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