With population growth and the recent six-year drought contributing to an increase in Californians' concerns about water scarcity, several communities and industries in California have proposed constructing desalination plants to convert saline water (e.g., seawater, brackish water or treated wastewater) into fresh water. Because all or portions of seawater desalination plants will be located in the coastal zone, the facilities will come under California Coastal Act requirements.
This report provides background technical and policy information on desalination. The document was reviewed by the California Coastal Commission but has not been adopted as a policy document. The Commission's Energy and Ocean Resources and Technical Services Division staff has prepared this report to provide the Coastal Commission, local governments, state and federal agency staffs, and the public with the following information:
Go to Key Desalination Facts
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in California Table of Contents
Go to Seawater Desalination
in California Glossary
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