Santa Barbara to spend $55 million on desalination plant as drought ‘last resort’

Santa Barbara City Council members on Tuesday unanimously approved spending $55 million to reactivate a mothballed desalination plant that could provide the city with nearly a third of its drinking water.

The Charles E. Meyer Desalination Facility was built during a drought in the 1990s but closed in 1992 when desperation for water subsided. The plant was never utilized beyond a testing period, but the city maintained it in the event that a severe water shortage might once again threaten the city.

“Desalination has been a last resort,� Mayor Helene Schneider told The Times Tuesday night after the vote. “The way the drought has continued these last four years, we are really getting at that last resort.�

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The process of reopening the plant began last September, when Lake Cachuma, the city’s main reservoir, dipped below 30% capacity. The City Council that month voted to jump-start efforts to bring the desalination plant back online.

The contract approved Tuesday includes about $46.6 million for design and construction. Additional costs come from legal and consulting fees during the permitting process. The plant is expected to be operating by fall 2016.

“We recognize it’s a big decision to make,� Schneider said. “We also recognize that desalination is not just for this particular drought -- they are cyclical.�

The city has been recognized for its water conservation efforts, with per capita water use falling several gallons below other Southern California cities.

For breaking news in California, follow @MattHjourno

Staff writer Amanda Covarrubias contributed to this report.

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