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Carlsbad Seawater Desalination Plant Sets Record Low energy use
In early 2006 the Carlsbad Pilot plant entered a new phase of testing with the installation of a prior art system of seawater desalination equipped with the latest energy saving technology. The new reverse osmosis system Conversely combines two key features that substantially reduce energy consumption. The first key ingredient is the last membrane desalination of sea water produced by FilmTech (Dow Chemicals). This membrane produces more water per square meter of membrane filtration with 5% less energy than the "pattern" last generation membranes available on the market.
State of New Pilot with the most advanced desalination system equipped with membranes low energy
Another key feature of the new seawater desalination unit is the high efficiency of new energy recovery device called pressure exchanger (see photo above).
Carlsbad receive international visits to the Pilot Plant DESAL
In July Poseidon welcomed a team civil engineering students graduated from the University of German Federal Armed Forces in Munich. These students were in California, Arizona and Utah for three weeks visiting water infrastructure and hydraulic engineering projects. Some of the projects they visited other then the pilot was the Carlsbad Desalination Plant in Yuma Water Treatment Plant, Hoover Dam and the Sacramento / San Joaquin Bay Delta system.
Carlsbad Desalination Project EIR
Last June, the City of Carlsbad moved the San Diego region a step closer to achieving water reliability by voting unanimously to certify the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and approving the local use land permits for the Carlsbad desalination plant.
The desalination project's environmental review process began in May 2004 and has benefited from input and meaningful public participation, and the final environmental document certified by the city of Carlsbad incorporated very complete answers hundreds of observations made by the public.
"The residents of Carlsbad and the entire region have been well served by the environmental review conducted by the city of Carlsbad, "Said Peter MacLaggan, senior vice president of Poseidon Resources." The development of an environmentally responsible solution to the waters of the region needs is a component key to achieving water reliability. "
In approving the development plan and certification of the EIR, the City concluded that the project could be built and operating in an environmentally responsible and there was no significant unavoidable impacts related to construction and operation of the plant.
Over the past eight years, Poseidon has been working with the City in a public-private partnership to build a 50-million-gallonper day (MGD) plant at the site of the Encina Power Station, which would allow Carlsbad to produce a source of drought-resistant high quality water to meet the needs of local residents, businesses and farmers. Once operational, the Carlsbad desalination plant will provide enough drinking water to serve 300 000 population per year at a guaranteed price, without any financial risk to taxpayers. The plant is scheduled to be completed and the production of drinking water 2009. Special thanks to the many community leaders and businesses, environmental organizations, elected officials and representatives of workers expressed support for the project.
Desalination – Drought cuts coverage
Since the 1991 drought and water shortages of 30% occurred that year, water agencies have taken strong measures to put in place drought management plans designed to diversify and improve the quantity of water supplies. As required by state law, each agency maintains plans for up to a 50% shortage of water supply, and the San Diego County Water Authority (CWA) has developed a sophisticated allocation plan to address future shortages.
Earlier this year, CWA adopted a Drought Management Plan from that provided policy direction and allocation formula in the case of drought. The plan provides specific incentives for water agencies to develop local supplies. Water agencies that have access to desalinated water and other local supplies are given additional relief from drought related cutbacks in imported water.
For Carlsbad, district of the city water will receive 100% of its daily water requirements of the local desalination plant, which means it will be 100% drought proof. Valley Center and Rincon Del Diablo Water Districts also purchased desalinated water from Poseidon, as a hedge against drought cuts in the future.
Through the water purchase agreements, Valley Center and Rincon Del Diablo would be immune from cutbacks until the shortage exceeded imported water 50% and 20% respectively. Desalinated water agreements of purchase means that a repeat of the 1989-92 drought would require only a 11% reduction for customers watersupply district cuts instead of 30% has experienced catastrophic corner customers in 1990-91 and trim in Valley Center.
Water availability desalinated have a dramatic effect on the isolation of Valley Center and Rincon from shortages of imported supplies. Reducing water shortages means cuts future imported water can be more easily managed through voluntary conservation.
Complaint Dropped – Challenge of Desalination Report Retired Carlsbad Environmental Impact
Poseidon Resources Corporation today announced that the opponents of seawater desalination have abandoned their last attempt delay the development of the desalination plant in Carlsbad.
On July 19, Coast Law Group LLP filed suit on behalf of its clients in Southern California Coastal Alliance and DESAL Response Group, challenging the city of certification June 14, Carlsbad Project Environmental Impact Report (EIR). In the lawsuit, Poseidon Resources Corporation and Cabrillo Power LLC were named Real Parties in Interest. The EIR was independently prepared by consulting firm Dudek & Associates, Inc. for the City. The lawsuit was filed after the law expired 30-day limitations, in violation of Public Resources Code California.
"The decision to withdraw the legal challenge to the City Environmental Impact Report Carlsbad was the prudent course of action, "said Senior Vice President Peter MacLaggan Poseidon Resources. "The period of public review of the environmental process lasted more than 396-days, almost a year as stipulated California law on the environment. Taking into account the draft comprehensive environmental review, I am sure that the trial court found liability is less attempt to delay a project environment, "he said.
"The City of Carlsbad EIR is the most comprehensive and powerful I've ever seen" MacLaggan continued. "In fact, the City studied the environmental effects of the desalination plant in the unexpected scenario that the Encina Power Station was to cease operation. This level of due diligence goes beyond the requirements under the California Environmental law, "he said.
RWQCB Considers Discharge Permit
The state Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) is scheduled to consider the Carlsbad desalination plant discharge water from the ocean permission – a key permit needed to operate the desalination plant – at its next scheduled hearing on August 16.
The RWQCB held a hearing briefing the day after the certification on June 13 Carlsbad City Council of the EIR and agreed to defer the issuance of the permit until the public had the opportunity to review additional regulatory requirements that allow Poseidon had voluntarily offered to ensure that the project will operate in an environmentally safe.
Poseidon Resources is committed to building and operating an environmentally responsible project. Provide monitoring and regulatory requirements is part of our commitment to ensure adequate protection of the marine environment
Copy CWA local cooperation
The San Diego County Water Authority (CWA) has given its support for Carlsbad desalination behind, Valley Center and Rincon Del Diablo Municipal Water District and its private sector partner, Poseidon Resources. On July 27, the Board voted for interrupting the CWA efforts to develop its own desalination plant in Carlsbad. CWA's decision ends uncertainty over the ownership and operation of the Carlsbad desalination plant.
In taking its action, the CWA board approved three motions separately including declining certify the environmental impact report for the project was moving in the same location, terminating negotiations, and the promotion of Poseidon and Carlsbad to continue their efforts to build the 50 MGD plant. The latest action means the full support of Poseidon and Carlsbad City efforts to develop a 50 million gallon per project desalination of seawater a day to reduce the amount of imported water San Diego County currently depends.
Winona LaDuke – Building a Green Economy
