Regional Seawater Desalination Program Website


3-minute video featuring Santa Cruz Mayor Hilary Bryant and Soquel Creek Water District Board President Tom LaHue talking about their agencies' water shortage challenges.

The City of Santa Cruz Water Department (City) and Soquel Creek Water District (District) have been collaborating to conserve, protect and create reliable water resources. Both have already implemented numerous stringent conservation and curtailment requirements to maximize efficient water use, but the region needs a reliable supplemental water source that will (1) provide needed supply during droughts, (2) allow for more water to be left in local streams and rivers to protect threatened and endangered species, and (3) restore protective groundwater levels to help prevent contamination of our groundwater supply by seawater intrusion.

Components of Integrated Water PlanAfter over 20 years of multiple studies and  public meetings, the City and District have identified a portfolio of existing supplies, conservation, cutbacks during droughts, and a supplemental supply to meet its customer's needs.

Desalination was identified as the potential supplemental supply to further evaluate. In 2007, the City and District joined together to address their different needs and share the costs associated with evaluating the proposed project.

This program is currently in an Environmental Review process evaluating the potential for a 2.5 million gallon per day desalination facility in Santa Cruz. No decision has yet been made on the actual construction of the proposed project.

Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) is scheduled for release on May 13, 2013

The Draft EIR is scheduled for release on May 13, 2013.  During the 60-day comment period, interested public agencies, organizations, community groups, and individuals are encouraged to submit their written comments on the adequacy of the Draft EIR. For information on the EIR process, click here

scwd2 EIRTo access the on-line library of environmental review reports, including the Draft EIR and appendices, click here

Hard copies of the Draft EIR and a CD of the appendices are located at several locations throughout the City and District's service areas.



3-minute video on the proposed project and how to participate in the EIR Review Process.

The City of Santa Cruz and Soquel Creek Water District will be holding two public hearings to take oral and written comments, one on June 3 and a second meeting on July 1. For more information, click here.

scwd2 EIR Community GuideA 34-page guidebook to the draft EIR has also been created. This Community Guide provide a summary and overview of the proposed project and key elements of the environmental analysis provided in the Draft EIR, including environmental design features, mitigation measures, and feasible alternatives. The guide also provides information about the environmental review process and how to provide comments on the Draft EIR.

 

Why is a supplemental supply needed for the City of Santa Cruz?

City of Santa Cruz

Desalinated-Related Issues

Preliminary architectural rendering shows how the proposed project could be designed to blend in with existing surroundings.

 

 

 

Why is a supplemental supply needed for Soquel Creek Water District?

Soquel Creek Water District

 

© 2008-2013 scwd2 Desalination Program, All rights reserved.