Post-Poseidon: to desalinate or not to desalinate, that is NOT the main question

The future of good water management depends on understanding the complexities of climate change, not simplistic 'solutions'

By Joe Geever

The California Coastal Commission sunk Poseidon Water’s proposed Huntington Beach ocean desalination project on May 12 by an 11-0 vote.

Then, what role should ocean desalination play in California’s future?

Executive Director Jack Ainsworth told commissioners that the staff’s recommended project denial didn’t preclude building other coastal desalination plants.

“First of all,” he said, alluding to climate change, “I think we all agree and recognize that the ongoing historical drought is a crisis in California and that desalinization facilities will be part of California’s future water portfolio.”

Boy standing between two large tunas caught off Santa Catalina Island C. 1910. Photo by Brickey Wiki

Some of my environmentalist friends say that ocean desalination should never be part of California’s water portfolio.

Others support the proposed Doheny ocean desalination plant and the existing plant serving the City of Santa Barbara, both small projects, as alternatives to Poseidon’s …