Difference between revisions of "Desalination in California's Central Coast Region"

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Given the high construction and energy costs of desalination facilities, customer water bills are expected to increase as a result of desalination. For example, a typical customer should expect their water bills to increase by approximately 40% by 2018 with the approval of the proposed Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project <ref> http://www.amwater.com/caaw/customer-service/rates-information/regional-desalination-project.html </ref>.
 
Given the high construction and energy costs of desalination facilities, customer water bills are expected to increase as a result of desalination. For example, a typical customer should expect their water bills to increase by approximately 40% by 2018 with the approval of the proposed Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project <ref> http://www.amwater.com/caaw/customer-service/rates-information/regional-desalination-project.html </ref>.
  
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For example, below is an estimate of what atypical customer will expect to pay with the implementation of the Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project <ref>Monterey Water Supply Project: California American Water updates Customer Rate Impact estimates for proposed Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project http://www.amwater.com/caaw/customer-service/rates-information/regional-desalination-project.html</ref>.
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{|class="wikitable"
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!colspan="6"|Monterey Water Supply Project monthly bill estimate
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|-
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|2013
 +
|2014
 +
|2015
 +
|2016
 +
|2017
 +
|2018
 +
|-
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|$75.74
 +
|$79.86
 +
|$88.42
 +
|$97.27
 +
|$97.38
 +
|$106.73
 +
|}
  
 
==Regulatory Agencies==
 
==Regulatory Agencies==

Revision as of 21:41, 2 April 2014

Summary

Desalination is being considered as an alternative supply for water in Central California. In 2009, the California State Water Resources Control Board issued a Cease and Desist Order, requiring CalAm to reduce its pumping from the Carmel River by 70% by 2016 [1]. The Carmel River is the primary water source for the region, therefore, a significant water supply alternative is needed. The central coast also relies heavily on groundwater supplies. However, problems with seawater intrusion make this a not sustainable alternative. As a result, many proposals for desalination facilities have been submitted as a possible solution to the water gap.

Facilities in the Central Coast

Proposed and existing desalination plats in Monterey Bay. Image: MBNMS 2006

Existing

Proposed

Main Issues

Energy Consumption

Proposed desalination technologies for the Central Coast are energy intensive. Desalination plants use about 15,000 kWh per million gallons of water produced, on average [4]

Rate Increase

Given the high construction and energy costs of desalination facilities, customer water bills are expected to increase as a result of desalination. For example, a typical customer should expect their water bills to increase by approximately 40% by 2018 with the approval of the proposed Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project [5].

For example, below is an estimate of what atypical customer will expect to pay with the implementation of the Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project [6].

Monterey Water Supply Project monthly bill estimate
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
$75.74 $79.86 $88.42 $97.27 $97.38 $106.73

Regulatory Agencies

Federal

State

Local and Regional

Science

References

  1. http://www.mpwmd.dst.ca.us/CDO/FinalCDOPage.htm
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 http://montereybay.noaa.gov/resourcepro/resmanissues/pdf/110806desal_final.pdf
  3. City of Santa Cruz Water Department Desalination Project http://www.scwd2desal.org/
  4. Key Issues for Seawater Desalination in California http://pacinst.org//wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2013/05/desal-energy-ghg-full-report.pdf
  5. http://www.amwater.com/caaw/customer-service/rates-information/regional-desalination-project.html
  6. Monterey Water Supply Project: California American Water updates Customer Rate Impact estimates for proposed Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project http://www.amwater.com/caaw/customer-service/rates-information/regional-desalination-project.html

Links

Disclaimer

This page may contain student work completed as part of assigned coursework. It may not be accurate. It does not necessary reflect the opinion or policy of CSUMB, its staff, or students.