West Basin to release Environmental Impact Report on ocean-water desalination

July 13, 2015
Amid ongoing drought in California, the West Basin Municipal Water District board of directors recently voted to begin an Environmental Impact Report as part of its research to build a full-scale ocean-water desalination facility in the South Bay.

CARSON, CA, July 13, 2015 -- Amid ongoing drought in California, the West Basin Municipal Water District (West Basin) board of directors recently voted to begin an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) as part of its research to build a full-scale ocean-water desalination facility in the South Bay. By initiating the EIR, the District will evaluate all environmental impacts associated with building and operating a 20-million-gallon-per-day (MGD) and 60-MGD plant.

Engineering projects identified to have potentially significant impacts to the environment are required to quantify these impacts as stated in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The EIR will quantify impacts attributed to intake, discharge, air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, and more. This document will not only identify and quantify impacts, but also determine how much mitigation would be required for the facility to have a net-zero environmental impact.

"As a coastal water agency, it is important that West Basin evaluate a responsible ocean-water desalination program, should it be needed in the future," said West Basin Board President Gloria D. Gray. "As the drought worsens, and with the uncertainty of climate change, it is prudent to explore ocean-water desalination. We need to continue working towards our water reliability goals and increasing local, drought-proof water supplies such as ocean-water desalination and recycling."

Since 2002, West Basin has conscientiously tested the feasibility of ocean-water desalination with a focus on protecting marine life and minimizing costs through reduced energy and chemical consumption. The District has participated in the regulatory efforts that have helped shape California's ocean-water desalination policies. The recently finalized desalination permitting process adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board on intakes, discharges and mitigation are the first of its kind in the world.

As Southern California faces rising demands and a shrinking water supply, augmenting imported water is becoming increasingly important. In addition to increasing water recycling, groundwater desalting and water conservation, investigating ocean-water desalination to diversify local water supplies is a key part of West Basin's water reliability program.

See also:

"CA water district reaches 150 billion gallons of recycled water"

"CA water district adopts resolution declaring Drought Alert"

###

Sponsored Recommendations

WIN-911 Alarm Notification Software Enables Faster Response

March 15, 2024
Alarm notification software enables faster response for customers, keeping production on track

Automated Fresh Water Treatment

March 15, 2024
SCADA, Automation and Control for Efficient and Compliant Operations

Digital Transformation Enables Smart Water

March 15, 2024
During this webinar we will discuss factors driving the transformation to digital water, water industry trends, followed by a summary of solutions (products & services) available...

Smart Water Solutions: Transforming the Water Universe

March 15, 2024
Water is our most valuable resource, and efficient and effective water and wastewater handling is crucial for municipalities. As industry experts, you face a number of challenges...