SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (AP) — With California in a drought,
the coastal city of Santa Barbara is thinking about firing up a
desalination plant that has been in storage for more than two decades.
The
city built the plant in the 1990s during the last drought but turned it
on for only three months after heavy rains eliminated the need for
extra water.
Desalination involves removing salt from ocean water
or groundwater, but it’s not a quick drought-relief option. It takes
years of planning and overcoming red tape to launch a project.
Water
officials estimate the plant will need $20 million in technological
upgrades. Any restart would require City Council approval, which won’t
vote until next spring after reviewing engineering plans and the latest
drought conditions.
Many environmentalists think desalination should be a last resort.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights
reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or
redistributed.

Summary

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (AP) — With California in a drought,
the coastal city of Santa Barbara is thinking about firing up a
desalination plant that has been in storage for more than two decades.
The
city built the plant in the 1990s during the last drought but turned it
on for only three months after heavy rains eliminated the need for
extra water.
Desalination involves removing salt from ocean water
or groundwater, but it’s not a quick drought-relief option. It takes
years of planning and overcoming red tape to launch a project.
Water
officials estimate the plant will need $20 million in technological
upgrades. Any restart would require City Council approval, which won’t
vote until next spring after reviewing engineering plans and the latest
drought conditions.
Many environmentalists think desalination should be a last resort.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights
reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or
redistributed.

Summary