Construction will begin within 10 days on a plant in Carlsbad designed to turn seawater into drinking water and an associated pipeline, the San Diego County Water Authority announced today.
The project, by Poseidon Resources, is set to go in near the Agua Hedionda Lagoon and open in about four years. The 10-mile pipeline will carry fresh water to connect with a water authority aqueduct in San Marcos.
SDCWA, the region's water wholesaler, said construction workers will begin grading work at the site now that recent bond sales have closed.
"Our economy and quality of life simply do not exist without a reliable water supply,'' Carlsbad Mayor Matt Hall said. "That's why the city of Carlsbad has been a tireless advocate for this project, and why we're willing to host this regional project in our community.''
In full operation, the desalination plant is expected to generate 50 million gallons of drinking water per day. Water will be sucked in from the Pacific Ocean and purified before it is added to the regional water system.
The water agency said construction bonds were sold with a 4.78 percent interest rate, which is lower than expected. That means the cost of water from Poseidon Resources will be $125 per acre-foot lower than planned, according to the SDCWA.
