Need for the Project

State, regional and local water plans all have confirmed that immediate and pressing water needs cannot be accomplished without some investment in seawater desalination.

• The proposed project will provide 56,000 AFY of new water supply for the San Diego region.
• The CA Department of Water Resources’ 2006 Water Plan Update identifies the need for 500,000 AF of desalinated water by 2030.
• The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s Integrated Water Resources Plan identifies a need for 150,000 AFY of seawater desalination (including 56,000 AFY from the Carlsbad project) by the year 2020.
• The San Diego County Water Authority’s (SDCWA) Urban Water Management Plan identifies a need for 56,000 AFY of seawater desalination from the Carlsbad project by 2011.
• Carlsbad Municipal Water District, Valley Center Municipal Water District, Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District, Sweetwater Authority, Rainbow Municipal Water District, Vallecitos Water District, Santa Fe Irrigation District, Olivenhain Municipal Water District and the City of Oceanside have entered into long-term water purchase agreements with the Carlsbad desalination plant. Collectively, they represent 100% of its capacity.