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Source: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/ocean/desalination/?textonly=1

Ocean Plan Requirements for Seawater Desalination Facilities

None at this time.

Past Outreach Events

General Scoping Meeting on Potential Amendments to Seawater Desalination Provisions Date: Oct 28, 2024 from 1:00-4:00pm Meeting recording and presentation are now available. Notice – The State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) accepted comments on the general scope and potential amendments to the Seawater Desalination Provisions of the Water Quality Control Plan for Ocean Waters of California through 12:00 noon on November 13, 2024. The State Water Board's Division of Water Quality held a public scoping meeting on October 28 from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. Aviso – La Junta Estatal de Control de Recursos del Agua (Junta Estatal del Agua), está aceptando comentarios sobre el alcance general y enmiendas potenciales a las Provisiones de Desalación de Agua del Mar indicadas en el Plan de Control de Calidad del Agua para Aguas del Océano de California (Proyecto Propuesto). La fecha límite para recibir comentarios es el 13 de noviembre de 2024 (12 m). El 28 de octubre (1:00 a 4:00 pm), la División de Calidad del Agua de la Junta Estatal del Agua, tendrá una reunión pública sobre el alcance del Proyecto Propuesto. We are excited to announce the launch of our latest resource aimed at answering the most frequently asked questions! The new FAQ invites interaction through questions and answers, encouraging dialogue and exploration of the topic of seawater desalination. Click below to access the FAQ:

Supporting Scientific and Expert Panel Reports

Desalination Plant Entrainment Impacts and Mitigation, October 9, 2013
Hyper-Salinity Toxicity Thresholds for Nine California Ocean Plan Toxicity Test Protocols, July 2012
Mitigation and Fees for the Intake of Seawater by Desalination and Power Plants, March 14, 2012
Management of Brine Discharges to Coastal Waters - Recommendations of a Science Advisory Panel, March 2012
Final Desalination Subsurface Intake Panel Report, June 2024

In May 2015, the State Water Board updated the Water Quality Control Plan for Ocean Waters of California, also called the Ocean Plan. The update added new requirements for seawater desalination facilities (facilities that turn seawater into freshwater). The requirements in the Ocean Plan are called Desalination Provisions, which establish statewide requirements for planning, permitting, and operating seawater desalination facilities while protecting ocean life and water quality. What the Desalination Provisions require:
Seawater desalination facilities must use a suite of best available measures that are feasible to minimize harm to all forms of marine life. This includes careful consideration of where facilities are built, how they are designed, the technology they use, and the actions they take to reduce or offset any remaining impacts. For details, see the Ocean Plan or theFrequently Asked Questions. The Desalination Provisions generally address the following subjects: * Site is the general onshore and offshore location of the facility. A desalination facility must be built in a location that minimizes harm to marine life and habitats. * Design is the size, layout, form, and the configuration of the facility. A desalination facility must be designed to reduce harm to the environment over the entire lifetime of the facility’s operation. * Technology is the type of equipment, materials, and methods used to construct and operate the facility. A desalination facility must use specific intake and discharge technologies that reduce harm to marine life and habitats. * Mitigation is replacement of all forms of marine life or habitat lost due construction and operation of a facility. Even after using the best site, design, and technology, if the facility still harms marine life, the owners must take additional steps to offset that damage.

These rules apply across California and help regional water boards review and approve desalination projects in a consistent way.

Stay Informed

Subscribe to the California Ocean Plan (COP) email list to receive notifications and the latest updates. Email Address View the Ocean Plan View the Final Staff Report

View the Seawater Desalination Facilities Map in a new tab General mailbox: DWQ-OceanDesal@Waterboards.ca.gov

Staff:

Jeanie Mascia, Supervisor
Gintare Huckeba, Environmental Scientist
Christine Manhart, Engineering Geologist
Bobby Hyla, Environmental Scientist

(Page last updated 03/06/2026) Water is a precious resource in California, and maintaining its quality is of utmost importance to safeguard the health of the public and the environment.

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