Desalination projects are a long-term investment, and San Luis Obispo County is considering whether to take the plunge. With changing weather patterns and increasing drought lengths due to climate change, the county is exploring desalination as a reliable source of drinking water. The current water portfolio in SLO County relies heavily on rain, making desalination an attractive option. The county's Water Resources Advisory Committee recently received a presentation on a draft feasibility study, which evaluated potential desalination sites, costs, and water distribution. The study identified five potential locations for desalination plants, each with its own unique characteristics and costs. The first option is a plant in Cambria, which could serve 330 to 580 acre-feet of water annually. However, this would require a new outfall, and the construction cost is a staggering $179 million. The second site is Cayucos, where a plant could serve 930 to 1,055 acre-feet of water annually, using the existing Estero Marine Terminal outfall. This plant would cost around $261 million. Morro Bay is another potential location, with a plant serving 5,855 to 7,135 acre-feet of water annually. This plant would utilize the city's existing wastewater treatment plant outfall, but Morro Bay is not currently a priority due to its focus on recycled water projects. The fourth option is a plant in South County, near the South SLO Wastewater Treatment plant, which could serve 5,070 to 6,825 acre-feet of water annually. This plant would also use the existing outfall, and the construction cost is approximately $483 million. Finally, a plant could be built at the former Nipomo Mesa Refinery, serving 1,805 to 1,905 acre-feet of water annually to Nipomo, Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, Avila Beach, Pismo Beach, Oceano, and potentially users in Santa Barbara County. This plant would cost about $254 million. The feasibility study is a crucial step in the desalination process, but it is just the beginning. The county and local water providers will decide whether to proceed with further evaluation or construction, a decision that could take decades. The consultant, Carollo Engineers, emphasizes that desalination is not a cheap option, but it offers drought-resistant water, a valuable asset in a changing climate. The final study will be presented to the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors in September, and the future of desalination in SLO County hangs in the balance. The decision will shape the county's water security and resilience for years to come.
