Desalination In California

Southern California imports about 85% of its water, most of it coming from the Colorado River. Because we import so much water, we are becoming too dependant on outside water sources, which needs to change if we ever want the drought to end. California has started pumping more groundwater in response to this threat, but over-pumping groundwater is not the solution either. In order to eliminate the importing of water, we need to turn to desalination, recycled water, and rainwater harvesting.

Despite what many people say, desalination is a very good source of water these days, and we can use it to help terminate the need for imported water. We have the whole ocean at our disposal, and even more so in Southern California. Many people think that desalination is energy-intensive, or high in energy consumption. It may be, but the benefits outweigh the costs. One cubic meter of water, or 264 gallons, is desalinated using 2-3 kilowatts per hour. That is less than or equal to the amount of power a central air conditioner uses. A typical plant spends about 84,320 dollars per day on desalination. The price may be high, but desalination will not account for all of our water, and in these desperate times, it will be worth it.

Recycled water is a clean, efficient, and effective source of fresh, non-imported water. Southern California has already
started using recycled water to provide irrigation to many, letting us water our lawns and crops. But that’s not enough. We are coming up with new ways to purify water so that it is not just usable, it is potable. The Pure Water San Diego program is working toward this goal. By 2035, Pure Water San Diego will supply about a third of our water. The water will be filtered through a thin membrane, go through a reverse osmosis process, and will be subjected to UV rays to clean it.

Though some may think it unconventional, rainwater harvesting is a simple, overlooked solution to the problem of importing water.
There are aquifers under major cities like Los Angeles, which would make rainwater harvesting a very effective water source. The rainwater should get San Jose and other cities like it through an entire year. However, instead of using rainwater tanks, cities in Southern California should collect the water in giant basins, then let it soak into the ground and join an aquifer. In fact, Los Angeles has already started doing this. In other California cities with large aquifers, we should implement this
policy.

Desalination, recycled water, and rainwater harvesting are the keys to the end of water importing. With these methods, we can help end the water shortage. And maybe, someday in the future, we might have enough water to export it to other places.