Advances and Challenges of Seawater Desalination in California Authors: Nikolay Voutchkov Presenter : Nikolay Voutchkov Senior Vice President – Poseidon Resources - USA Abstract Harvesting fresh water from the Pacific Ocean has been gaining popularity in California over the last five years, as many coastal municipalities and utilities are challenged with population growth pressures, dwindling water supplies, and escalating water production costs. By year 2030, state’s population is projected to increase from 36.5 to 48 million, which in turn would require over 4 million m³/day of new fresh water supplies. Recognizing this water supply demand cannot be met by only relying on traditional water supply sources, conservation and reuse, the California Department of Water Resources has initiated exploration of seawater and brackish water desalination as an addition to the state’s water portfolio. The California desalination initiative is expected to yield 15 to 20 new projects statewide which would supply 5.6 % of the total urban water demand along the coast by year 2020 and would produce approximately 1.7 million m³/day of new drinking water by 2030. This paper provides an overview of all ongoing seawater desalination projects in Southern California as well as regional prospective of the desalination initiatives in Northern California. Each of the key projects are discussed in terms of current status; fresh water production capacity; type of intake; and overall project implementation timeframe. Projected costs of water production and desalinated water quality are presented as well. Seawater desalination in California has found an overwhelming support at all levels of state and local government. However, some environmental groups and conservationists have challenged the viability and timing of seawater desalination. This presentation will discuss key issues, challenges and arguments are often focal points of debate surrounding seawater desalination in California such as: costs for production of desalinated water as compared to water costs of traditional water supply alternatives; energy use; effect of various types of intakes on impingement and entrainment of marine organisms; concentrate management and population growth. IDA World Congress REF: MP07-100 1