Posted on 07/28/2005 9:17:47 AM PDT by Willie Green
For education and discussion only. Not for commercial use.
A feasibility study has been carried out and talks are underway between US and Mexican water authorities over possible construction of a desalination plant that could supply both sides of the border.
The proposed plant would serve the respective Mexican and US cities of Tijuana and San Diego, the latter's Otay water district general manager, Mark Watton, told BNamericas.
A general feasibility study into a desalination plant at Rosarito has already been concluded by Otay officials along with their Mexican counterparts from the national water commission (CNA) and Tijuana state public services commission (CESPT).
The investigation showed that there would be no major problems standing in the way of such a project, although a host of regulatory problems and other difficulties would obviously first have to be overcome, Watton said.
"If the project does come to fruition beyond the feasibility study and the conversations we're having, it will be a major deal for the world - two sovereign nations sharing a facility like this," the Otay managing director said.
"The Mexicans have identified a need for 23M gallons [87M l] a day for their purposes. The study looked at a larger plant that would deliver 20M-25M gallons a day to the US, necessitating a 50M gallon-a-day plant, fully utilizing that coastal installation," Watton said.
In theory, the financing of the desalination plant would be roughly 50-50 between Mexico and the US, he added.
"In the past Tijuana and San Diego could afford to ignore each other, but now that the two cities are growing so fast and share so much infrastructure and other connections, it only makes sense that we start talking about water," Watton said.
I think this is a good idea, if fired by a nuclear plant on US territory.
/sarcasm
20 years ago San Diego had to pay for a sewage treatment palnt for TJ and only after it was built did anyone notice that 85% of the houses were not hooked to sewer lines. How many of these homes in TJ are on 'municpal H20 lines'??
I read a number of years ago that San Diego already had a desalination plant and these plants are no cheap puppies. San Diego wants another one?
ping
Mexico should look elsewhere. If you get involved with San Diego government you're going to get ripped off. The most crooked politicans in America call San Diego their home.
San Diego needs more water. They have toilet to tap, desalination, and Colorado River water, and need more.
SAN DIEGO -- Drinking toilet water out of your faucet is an idea that is getting closer to reality for people living in the city of San Diego.
The $210 million plan to recycle sewage water is now on the desk of the City Council's Natural Resources Committee. The proposal calls for highly treated wastewater to be piped to the San Vicente Reservoir, where it will mix with raw river water.
The mixed water will eventually be distributed to faucets citywide. The plan is the only one of its kind in California.
I think it's a good idea, if Mexico will pay for what they get out of it. I doubt they will, they'll just take what they can, like everything else down there. Let the Rich Nextdoor Neighbor pump and clean the water, then they'll stick a hose in it and suck out what they can.
First thing Mexico needs to do, is to clean up their act in regards to polluting the ocean off Tijuana. It's disgusting.
They'll feel right at home with the Mexican politicians, then. I can just see how this one will turn out in ten years or so - hundreds of millions of dollars transferred from the residents of San Diego and Tijuana to the politicians and their cronies, outstanding bonds for hundred of millions more, and a vacant lot where the desal plant was supposed to be.
Yea, but will be able to drink the water after treating?
I believe that one was sent in the 1960s to Guantanamo Bay to provide fresh H20 to the base after Fidel cut off local supply.
I see no reason we can't build a nuclear power plant such as we use on subs and aircraft carriers, having it built in the sea and stationary and, of course bigger, to desalinize water. It works for the navy and I am sure it will work for a city. Let Mexico build their own though, we don't need to be subsidizing them any more than we already do!
"In theory, the financing of the desalination plant would be roughly 50-50 between Mexico and the US, he added."
Oh yeah, sure it will
No EPA and no CALOSHA.
The desal plant could be powered by an oil fired or gas fired generating facility located on Mexican soil or in Mexican waters, downwind from San Diego . The power never enters the US and therefore the whole process is insulated from US regulation.
The proposal certainly has potential liabilities but the beauty and economy of escaping US regulators is appealing.
Just so long as the water gets treated here too. Actually, San Diego's water supply does not *currently* meet state *or* federal standards. It's just one more problem with our once grand city.
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