EVENT DETAIL

Join us for a presentation on the SLO County DESAL Feasibility Study, presented by Anthony Cemo and Lydia Holmes of Carollo Engineers.

San Luis Obispo County Desalination Executable Solutions and Logistics (DESAL) Plan Feasibility Study 

San Luis Obispo County is evaluating the development of ocean desalination to improve long-term water supply reliability on California’s Central Coast. The primary objective of this study was to identify a drought-proof water source capable of addressing increasing water supply challenges associated with climate variability, regulatory constraints, stressed groundwater supplies, and infrastructure vulnerabilities. The project is currently in Phase 2 of a five-phase planning effort focused on evaluating feasible desalination alternatives, potential locations and implementation pathways.

The study employed a comprehensive planning-level methodology that includes extensive use of GIS data for site screening, technical evaluations, environmental assessments, and infrastructure planning. Assessment of feasibility focused on regulatory compliance and ability to permit. Multiple alternatives were developed across SLO County and screened based on evaluation criteria such as water delivery capability, constructability, environmental impacts, operational considerations, and costs. Use of existing regional infrastructure and outfalls was prioritized to reduce environmental impacts and enabled supply exchanges for maximized delivery capacity. In parallel to this study, a thorough stakeholder engagement and public outreach effort kept the region well informed. 

Findings indicate that both local and regional water supplies face significant reliability risks and desalination can provide a local drought-proof-supply. Desalination could provide substantial water security by building on the region’s diverse portfolio. The audience will learn how a rigorous planning process, that is focused on permittable project configurations, could pave a path to enhance water supply reliability along the California coast and beyond.