Frequently Asked Questions
Why isn’t the CCSD pursuing other water supply alternatives?
Desalination is part of a three-pronged approach towards addressing Cambria’s water shortage that was recommended in the CCSD’s Water Master Plan that was adopted on September 24, 2008. To complement seawater desalination, the adopted CCSD Water Master Plan recommends water conservation measures along with the use of recycled water for outdoor landscaping. The CCSD’s 2005 Urban Water Management Plan Update further describes water conservation measures that have been adopted by the CCSD.
On a present worth cost basis, desalination costs approximately $1,233 per acre-foot when including a renewable power system, and not discounting for any outside funding grants. On a cost per gallon basis, this equates to about four tenths of a cent per gallon. When compared to the typical metering unit of 100 cubic feet, present worth cost equates to $2.83 per unit. The lowest billing rate charged by the CCSD’s currently tiered rate structure (as of May 2009) starts at a cost of $3.61 per unit for zero to six units. After six units, the rate ramps up to the next higher rate of $5.51 per unit.
How is desalination going to benefit the existing ratepayers?
Once in service, the desalination facility will eliminate the need for future drought surcharges. Desalination will also provide much needed reliability to the existing supply, which can be used to augment fire flows during major fire emergencies and serve as a backup water supply during maintenance and repair of existing facilities. The quality of the water will also be improved by lowering hardness.
What’s the bottom line for existing rate payers? How much will it cost me?
An earlier 2000 report estimated that operating revenues would need to be increased by 9.9 percent to cover approximately $3.65 million in desalination facility loan repayments and annual facility operating expenses. This analysis will need to be updated after additional project definition becomes available. Future financial analyses will need to consider the alternative recommended following public review of a project-level EIR/EIS, along with any tradeoffs offered by the use of renewable power, such as reduced annual electrical power costs and the increased capital cost for solar panels, as well as the impact of inflation.
What past studies have been done by the CCSD to review the impacts of desalination?
The CCSD completed numerous environmental studies to support an earlier desalination project near the San Simeon Creek area. Depending upon the outcome of project-level EIR/EIS, the past reports will be either be used directly or augmented with additional study to support a recommended project alternative. Past environmental studies were included as appendices within a 1994 Desalination EIR, as well as a 1995 Desalination EIR addendum. Links to these reports are provided under the earlier Reports and Studies heading.
What would a Santa Rosa Creek beach alternative look like? Where would the facilities be located?
This alternative will be further defined following collection of geotechnical data. Considerations at this time include using existing CCSD property adjacent to the wastewater plant off of Heath Lane for the desalination treatment facilities. Should the geotechnical data confirm that subterranean intake and return wells are feasible at the Santa Rosa creek beach area, collector wells would likely be constructed using trenchless technology to avoid disturbing the more environmentally sensitive areas. Connecting pipelines between the wells and treatment facilities would follow an alignment along Windsor Boulevard.
What agreements are in place with the Army Corps?
A Project Cooperation Agreement Dated March 27, 2006 exists between the Army Corps and the CCSD that outlines the design and construction assistance to be performed by the Army Corps along with other conditions. To date (May 2009), the Army Corps is in the process of reviewing supporting documents for a PCA amendment that is to cover a $3 million CCSD credit for past project expenditures. | 
