Carlsbad Desalination Project About the Carlsbad Desalination Project Desalination, often thought to refer only to the removal of salt from seawater, actually removes virtually any mineral and most biological or organic chemical compounds to produce high quality water suitable for drinking. FAQs Poseidon has undertaken an aggressive public education and outreach effort to raise awareness of desalination, the proposed Carlsbad project and the opportunities for public input during the approval process. News about the Carlsbad Desalination Project - clean drinking water for San Diego Register for information about the Carlsbad Desalination Project.










Poseidon Resources is pleased to announce that the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) for the Carlsbad Desalination plant and can be viewed here. The desalination project’s environmental review process commenced in May 2004 with the Notice of Preparation (NOP) that began a 30-day period in which the City sought comments from the public to help determine the issues analyzed in the EIR. After the environmental research was compiled, a draft of the report was released for public comment in May 2005, followed by a comprehensive process that included input from over sixty interested individuals and organizations.

The desalination plant is one of the most important water infrastructure projects in San Diego history. Poseidon has been working with the City of Carlsbad since 1998 on a public-private partnership to construct a 50 million gallon per day (MGD) plant at the site of the Encina Power Station. The plant is scheduled to be completed by 2008, and will produce enough drinking water to serve 300,000 residents annually.

The environmental review for the project is based on extensive studies that have shown the project is an environmentally responsible solution to the region’s water needs. The FEIR does not identify any significant, unavoidable impacts for both the construction and on-going operation of the plant related to thirteen different areas studied including noise, traffic, growth-inducement, air and water quality, land use, public utilities and natural resources. The EIR was independently prepared by consulting firm Dudek & Associates, Inc. for the City of Carlsbad.

Those interested in reviewing the desalination project can find a copy of the EIR by clicking here.



More than 60 interested organizations and individuals commented during the lengthy review process. With three hearings remaining, the public still has the opportunity to get involved.

There are several important dates coming up in this process. All meetings are held in the Council Chambers located in Carlsbad City Hall (1200 Carlsbad Village Drive).

  • December 21st, 6:00 PM. The City of Carlsbad Planning Commission will hold a workshop with a formal presentation on the project and the EIR. The public is invited to attend and comment. For more information, click here.
  • March 29 - Tentative The EIR and accompanying land use permits will be formally reviewed by the Planning Commission. The public is invited to attend and comment.
  • April - TBD The City Council will meet to certify the EIR and approve the land use permits.
Since hearing dates may change, please click here to be updated by email.
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