Desal, take it with a Desal, take it with a grain of saltgrain of salt

Jonas MintonJonas MintonPlanning & Conservation LeaguePlanning & Conservation League

October 5, 2006October 5, 2006

Pursuing Water Reliability: Pursuing Water Reliability: questions to askquestions to ask

Are there cost-effective alternatives?Are there cost-effective alternatives? Will the project make problems worse?Will the project make problems worse? Does the project minimize impacts?Does the project minimize impacts? Has there been adequate research prior to Has there been adequate research prior to

pursuing project development?pursuing project development? Will the project improve technology to Will the project improve technology to

reduce impacts on coastal resourcesreduce impacts on coastal resources

Water PlanWater PlanAdvisory CommitteeAdvisory CommitteeDecember 9, 2005December 9, 2005

FinalFinalCalifornia Water Plan California Water Plan

Update 2005Update 2005

Fig. 4-2Fig. 4-2Statewide Statewide

Water Water Demand Demand ChangesChanges

Fig. 4-3Fig. 4-3Demand Demand

Changes by Changes by SectorSector

Fig. 4-4Fig. 4-4Scenario Scenario Demand Demand Changes Changes by Regionby Region(maf/year)(maf/year)

0.4 0.40.5

0.81.0

1.4

2.0

3.1

The Biggest Question Has Not The Biggest Question Has Not Been AskedBeen Asked

Green House GasesGreen House Gases

Seawater Desalination uses 3260 kWh to Seawater Desalination uses 3260 kWh to 4900 kWh to produce 1 acre foot4900 kWh to produce 1 acre foot

That means a 50MGD facility That means a 50MGD facility

would produce would produce 122,250 to 122,250 to 183,750 TONS183,750 TONS of greenhouse of greenhouse gases EVERY YEAR gases EVERY YEAR

The mass grave site of Chicago's The mass grave site of Chicago's 1995 heat-wave victims1995 heat-wave victims

- over 700 dead- over 700 dead

In 2003 Over 52,000 dead in In 2003 Over 52,000 dead in EuropeEurope

Heat Wave this July in CaliforniaHeat Wave this July in California

Over 400 DeadOver 400 Dead

Old and Poor are First VictimsOld and Poor are First Victims

New Orleans Last year – over New Orleans Last year – over 1,000 dead1,000 dead

Reducing ImpactsReducing Impacts

First pursue water First pursue water conservation, water recycling, conservation, water recycling, storm water capture and storm water capture and groundwater clean upgroundwater clean up