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Tuesday, Mar 19, 2024
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Carlsbad Gives OK to Desalination Plant

The Carlsbad City Council gave its unanimous support to building a large-scale desalination plant in the city with a 4-0 vote for the project June 13.

The council agreed to certify an environmental impact report and approve land-use permits needed to build the desalination plant proposed by Poseidon Resources Corp.

Based in Stamford, Conn., with an office in San Diego, Poseidon Resources has been working with the city of Carlsbad for eight years on its proposal for a 50 million-gallon-per-day plant that would produce fresh water for the region’s businesses, residents and farmers.

The plant would be located adjacent to the Encina Power Station along the coastline near Interstate 5 and Cannon Road. It would produce enough water to serve 300,000 residents annually when completed by 2009.

“The residents of Carlsbad and the entire region have been well-served by the City Council,” said Peter MacLaggan, Poseidon Resources senior vice president. “Coupled with the city’s aggressive conservation and reclamation efforts, the desalination plant will ensure Carlsbad has a drought-proof supply of high-quality water to address the needs of local residents, businesses and farmers.”

Project supporters include the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corp., the San Diego County Taxpayers Association, and the San Diego County Farm Bureau.

The California Regional Water Quality Control Board will move ahead with reviewing the project for an ocean-water discharge permit. The public will have time to review additional regulations offered by Poseidon to ensure water-quality and marine ecosystem protections are in place.

The Water Quality Control Board will consider whether to issue the permit at its next hearing in August.

The city and Poseidon Resources entered into their water-purchase agreement in October 2004 to provide Carlsbad with up to 25 million gallons per day of water. Poseidon agrees to assume all the responsibility associated with the project, including financing, construction and operation.

The Valley Center and Rincon del Diablo municipal water districts have separate water purchase agreements with the firm.

, Julie Gallant

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