When the Carlsbad Desalination Project is completed this fall, it will be the largest desalination plant in the Western Hemisphere.
Santa Barbara owns a mothballed plant built more than 20 years ago during another severe drought that can turn seawater into drinking water. But it was never used beyond a tryout phase before steady rain began falling again. Now, officials are working to press the Charles E. Meyer Desalination Facility back into service as the citys reservoirs continue to diminish.
Desalinated water will cost about a third more than Santa Barbaras imported water because on top of the estimated $40 million it could take to open the plant, it could cost $5.2 million a year to keep it running.
Ansel, the costs are more, but if you consider an increase of 50% on 25% of the water you use, it brings the cost down to only a 12.5% cost increase overall.
It increases your total water available by 25%. That’s a very big help for only 12.5% increase in cost.
If you associate this cost with a duel purpose power plant, that 12.5% can be offset in part as well.
Thanks for your comments on the Santa Barbara plant. I wasn’t aware of that.