A water manager for United Water Conservation District named Steve Bachman explains succinctly why desalination is not the answer, in a story I wrote in today's Ventura County Star (here):
“People ask all the time about desalination,” he said. “And yes, we can
do that, if you’re willing to pay two times or more what you’re paying
now for water.”
do that, if you’re willing to pay two times or more what you’re paying
now for water.”
In a phone conversation, he explained further. Water districts can buy water from Metropolitan — when it is available — for $600 an acre-foot. "Desal" today costs in the range of $1100.
So there you go. Of course we haven't mentioned the huge carbon footprint, the infrastructure problems, the salts disposal…but do we need to?
Kit Stolz 