A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
October 16, 2007
2. Supply
Olivenhain district to purchase desalinated water;
ENCINITAS -- With a drought looming and potentially less water flowing from northern
"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
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
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,
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
The Colorado River's watershed, which provides much water to thirsty
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
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
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/10/16/news/coastal/2_02_1110_15_07.txt
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