From the Archives: A seawater desalination plant opened in Chula Vista 55 years ago
A seawater desalination plant opened in Chula Vista in August of 1967. The Clair Engle Desalting Plant was an experimental test facility built by the Department of Interior capable of producing one million gallons of fresh water daily. The Chula Vista plant replaced a similar facility that was moved from Point Loma in 1964 to provide fresh water for the U.S. navy base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. In 1973 federal funding dried up and the Chula Vista plant closed. After the city council decided it was cheaper to buy imported water, San Diego turned down an offer to take over operating the facility .