Construction of the Western Hemisphere’s largest seawater desal facility is expected to start in early 2013 after the San Diego County Water Authority approved the purchase of water produced by the plant.
The purchase agreement cleared the way for the sale of bonds to finance the fully permitted project.
The plant will produce enough water to meet about 7 percent of the region’s water needs in 2020, reducing San Diego’s dependence on imported water and significantly improving water reliability in the region. The plant is expected to be in operation by 2016.
A Dudek environmental team led by Joe Monaco prepared the project’s Environmental Impact Report (EIR), and provided assistance in securing project permits. Dudek also supported the Water Authority in preparing an EIR addendum to address minor project changes associated with the recently approved Water Purchase Agreement.
Joe Monaco and his team are currently working with consultants to design and evaluate an estuarine habitat restoration project in South San Diego Bay that would provide mitigation for the project’s impacts on marine organisms.
In addition to the Carlsbad project, the Dudek team is involved with environmental clearances and permitting for the following large scale California seawater desalination projects:
- Huntington Beach Seawater Desalination Plant subsequent EIR and permitting support.
- City of Santa Cruz and Soquel Creek Water District (scwd2) Seawater Desalination project permit facilitator.
- West Basin Municipal Water District Seawater Desalination project program master plan in Redondo Beach/El Segundo.
The Dudek environmental team has also been involved with the Rosarito Beach Binational Seawater Desalination Project Feasibility Study/Rosarito BC Mexico.