The desalination project at Marina State Beach was originally a pilot study in 1996 – one that proved successful, though more expensive than pumping groundwater at the time. So, it was put on pause. In mid-March, after more than two decades and increasing pressure on local aquifers, the Marina Coast Water District (MCWD) began reviving that same desalination plant to help reduce reliance on groundwater. Now in Phase 1, parts of the plant infrastructure are being restored, and water quality tests are underway. Once online, the plant will add 300 acre-feet annually – enough to supply around 900 homes.

Other desalination news:

• California Policy Center: Blog: Federal options for large scale seawater desalination​​