Difference between revisions of "Desalination in California's Central Coast Region"
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| − | =Summary= | + | ==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 <ref> http://www.mpwmd.dst.ca.us/CDO/FinalCDOPage.htm </ref>. 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 [http://ccows.csumb.edu/wiki/index.php/Salinas_Valley_Seawater_Intrusion 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. | 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 <ref> http://www.mpwmd.dst.ca.us/CDO/FinalCDOPage.htm </ref>. 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 [http://ccows.csumb.edu/wiki/index.php/Salinas_Valley_Seawater_Intrusion 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= | + | ==Facilities in the Central Coast== |
[[File:Desal Facilities.png|300px|thumb|right|Proposed and existing desalination plats in Monterey Bay. Image: MBNMS 2006]] | [[File:Desal Facilities.png|300px|thumb|right|Proposed and existing desalination plats in Monterey Bay. Image: MBNMS 2006]] | ||
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*North Marina - [http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/Environment/info/esa/mpwsp/index.html Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project ], 9 MGD | *North Marina - [http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/Environment/info/esa/mpwsp/index.html Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project ], 9 MGD | ||
| − | =Units conversion= | + | ==Units conversion== |
Million Gallons per Day (MGD) to Acre Foot per Year (AFY) | Million Gallons per Day (MGD) to Acre Foot per Year (AFY) | ||
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|} | |} | ||
| − | =Main Issues= | + | ==Main Issues== |
| − | ==Energy Consumption== | + | ===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 <ref> Key Issues for Seawater Desalination in California http://pacinst.org//wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2013/05/desal-energy-ghg-full-report.pdf </ref> | 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 <ref> Key Issues for Seawater Desalination in California http://pacinst.org//wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2013/05/desal-energy-ghg-full-report.pdf </ref> | ||
| − | ==Rate Increase== | + | ===Rate Increase=== |
The cost of desalination is falling, but remains and expensive alternative. Given their high construction and energy costs customer water bills are expected to increase. 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>. 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>. | The cost of desalination is falling, but remains and expensive alternative. Given their high construction and energy costs customer water bills are expected to increase. 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>. 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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|} | |} | ||
| − | ==Impacts to the marine environment== | + | ===Impacts to the marine environment=== |
The main potential impacts from desalination to the marine environment are impingement and entertainment of marine organisms at the water uptake as well as potential harm from the disposal of highly concentrated salt brine back into the environment <ref>http://www.pacinst.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2013/02/desalination_report3.pdf </ref>. Impingement occurs when fish and other organisms are trapped against inflow screens, which often results in death. Entrainment is when organisms are drawn into the facility, which are exposed to high pressure an temperatures. | The main potential impacts from desalination to the marine environment are impingement and entertainment of marine organisms at the water uptake as well as potential harm from the disposal of highly concentrated salt brine back into the environment <ref>http://www.pacinst.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2013/02/desalination_report3.pdf </ref>. Impingement occurs when fish and other organisms are trapped against inflow screens, which often results in death. Entrainment is when organisms are drawn into the facility, which are exposed to high pressure an temperatures. | ||
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Marine impacts can be avoid or minimized with careful planning and mitigation measures. Subsurface intakes can minimize impingement and entrainment compared to traditional open ocean intake methods<ref> Guidelines for Desaination Plants in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary 2010 http://montereybay.noaa.gov/resourcepro/resmanissues/pdf/050610desal.pdf </ref>. Siting projects away from sensitive habitat or highly productive areas can also reduce the impact. To reduce impacts from brine discharge, it is recommended the brine water be diluted to a salinity of less than 5% above ambient concentration at the point of discharge <ref> State Water Resources Control Board (2013) Desalination Plant Entrainment Impacts and Mitigation http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/ocean/desalination/docs/erp3_desal9062013.pdf </ref>. | Marine impacts can be avoid or minimized with careful planning and mitigation measures. Subsurface intakes can minimize impingement and entrainment compared to traditional open ocean intake methods<ref> Guidelines for Desaination Plants in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary 2010 http://montereybay.noaa.gov/resourcepro/resmanissues/pdf/050610desal.pdf </ref>. Siting projects away from sensitive habitat or highly productive areas can also reduce the impact. To reduce impacts from brine discharge, it is recommended the brine water be diluted to a salinity of less than 5% above ambient concentration at the point of discharge <ref> State Water Resources Control Board (2013) Desalination Plant Entrainment Impacts and Mitigation http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/ocean/desalination/docs/erp3_desal9062013.pdf </ref>. | ||
| − | =Regulatory Agencies= | + | ==Regulatory Agencies== |
===Federal=== | ===Federal=== | ||
*[http://www.noaa.gov/ NOAA]/[http://montereybay.noaa.gov/ Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS)] | *[http://www.noaa.gov/ NOAA]/[http://montereybay.noaa.gov/ Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS)] | ||
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*[http://www.mpwmd.dst.ca.us/ Monterey Peninsula Water Management District] | *[http://www.mpwmd.dst.ca.us/ Monterey Peninsula Water Management District] | ||
| − | =Science= | + | ==Science== |
| − | =References= | + | ==References== |
<references/> | <references/> | ||
| − | =Links= | + | ==Links== |
*[[CalAm Use of Carmel River Groundwater Basin]] | *[[CalAm Use of Carmel River Groundwater Basin]] | ||
*[[ Los Padres Reservoir Capacity Issues]] | *[[ Los Padres Reservoir Capacity Issues]] | ||
Revision as of 23:20, 2 April 2014
Contents
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
Existing
- Marina - Marina Coast Water District (MCWD) 0.3 MGD (not currently operational) [2]
- Moss Landing - Duke Energy, 0.48 MGD, used for power plant operations [2]
- Monterey - Monterey Bay Aquarium, 0.04 mGD, used for toilets and other on-site uses [2]
- Sand City - City of Sand City/CalAm, 0.27 MGD
Proposed
- Santa Cruz - City of Santa Cruz, 2.5 MGD [3]
- Monterey - Ocean View Plaza (private development)
- Sand City - Monterey_Peninsula_Water_Management_District_(MPWMD), 3-7.5 MDG
- North Marina - Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project , 9 MGD
Units conversion
Million Gallons per Day (MGD) to Acre Foot per Year (AFY)
1 MGD = 1,120 AFY
| MGD | AFY |
|---|---|
| 0.5 | 560 |
| 1 | 1,120 |
| 2 | 2240 |
| 5 | 5600 |
| 10 | 11200 |
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
The cost of desalination is falling, but remains and expensive alternative. Given their high construction and energy costs customer water bills are expected to increase. 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]. 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 |
Impacts to the marine environment
The main potential impacts from desalination to the marine environment are impingement and entertainment of marine organisms at the water uptake as well as potential harm from the disposal of highly concentrated salt brine back into the environment [7]. Impingement occurs when fish and other organisms are trapped against inflow screens, which often results in death. Entrainment is when organisms are drawn into the facility, which are exposed to high pressure an temperatures.
Impacts to the marine environment are of particular concern in the Central Coast because the proposed facilities will operate within the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS). The mission of the MBNMS is to protect natural resources and to implement their mission three of the Sanctuaries regulations are related directly to preventing impacts from desalination [8]: 1. "prohibition on discharging or depositing any material within Sanctuary boundaries", 2. "discharging materials outside of the boundaries, which subsequently enter Sanctuary waters and negatively impact MBNMS resources", and 3. "prohibition on activities that cause alteration of the seabed".
Marine impacts can be avoid or minimized with careful planning and mitigation measures. Subsurface intakes can minimize impingement and entrainment compared to traditional open ocean intake methods[9]. Siting projects away from sensitive habitat or highly productive areas can also reduce the impact. To reduce impacts from brine discharge, it is recommended the brine water be diluted to a salinity of less than 5% above ambient concentration at the point of discharge [10].
Regulatory Agencies
Federal
- NOAA/Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS)
- NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- U.S. Coast Guard
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- U.S. Army Corps. of Engineers
- U.S. Army
- U.S. Bureau of Land Management
State
- California Coastal Commission
- Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board
- State Water Resources Control Board
- California Department of Public Health
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife
- California Department of Boating and Waterways
- California Department of Parks and Recreation
- California Department of Transportation
- California Department of Water Resources
- California Public Utilities Commission
- California State Lands Commission
- California Energy Commission
Local and Regional
- Counties
- Local Coastal Programs
- Coastal Development Permits
- Cities
- Coastal Development Permits
- Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District
- Monterey Peninsula Water Management District
Science
References
- ↑ http://www.mpwmd.dst.ca.us/CDO/FinalCDOPage.htm
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 http://montereybay.noaa.gov/resourcepro/resmanissues/pdf/110806desal_final.pdf
- ↑ City of Santa Cruz Water Department Desalination Project http://www.scwd2desal.org/
- ↑ Key Issues for Seawater Desalination in California http://pacinst.org//wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2013/05/desal-energy-ghg-full-report.pdf
- ↑ http://www.amwater.com/caaw/customer-service/rates-information/regional-desalination-project.html
- ↑ 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
- ↑ http://www.pacinst.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2013/02/desalination_report3.pdf
- ↑ Guidelines for Desaination Plants in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary 2010 http://montereybay.noaa.gov/resourcepro/resmanissues/pdf/050610desal.pdf
- ↑ Guidelines for Desaination Plants in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary 2010 http://montereybay.noaa.gov/resourcepro/resmanissues/pdf/050610desal.pdf
- ↑ State Water Resources Control Board (2013) Desalination Plant Entrainment Impacts and Mitigation http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/ocean/desalination/docs/erp3_desal9062013.pdf
Links
- CalAm Use of Carmel River Groundwater Basin
- Los Padres Reservoir Capacity Issues
- The Carmel River Watershed
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.
