Inside California's effort to use ocean water as a future water source

California has more than 1,000 thousand miles of coastline and the water in the Pacific Ocean presents an opportunity for more fresh water in the state. Unlocking the opportunity takes time, money and resources, and some experts say it's not for everyone.

California is the land of boom and bust and has the most dramatic swings in water availability in America.

[humblecourageous]

We live in North San Diego County about 20 miles inland. We live in a suburb development. We have put in 5, 200 gallons of rain tanks in order to water our fruit trees during the hot summer months. During the rainy season, we have kept all landscaping water off. We save our shower warm up water to put on the vegetable garden. We also have a laundry to landscape system that waters fruit trees and some drought tolerant plants in the front yard.

There are two dams near where we live. One was built in 1918 and the other was built in 1895. So they have been keeping those dams at low levels as there are thousands of houses below them and they are not safe.

[tedjohnson]

California has plenty of fresh water. All we need to do is capture rain water. At least 85% of our water ends up in the ocean. So wasteful.

[spigmhe]

Let’s talk about the city mayor & workers selling the water to the farmers buy using the water trucks hooking up to the fire taps😂 all over CA in front of everybody’s face

[taylors]

i hope that researcher you interviewed was a doctor and not just some random person with concerns that they can get cleared up by going to college and getting a degree.

[DanielWatson-vvcd]

Brine from desalinization plants can be added back to the ocean safely IF done correctly.
1: The nrine should Never be dispensed close to the coastline. Only a thousand miles or so out in the open ocean.
2: Brine could be loaded on ships, that go out into open ocean. Then slowly dispense the brine over a large area.
3: The brine solution could be used in the waste water treatment process to destroy harmful bacteria. Then desalinized to be used again.
4: Brine could be processed into table salt.

[kurtphilly]

California (and the west in general) has overused groundwater for decades. Desalination is pulling the emergency cord. California has been the vegetable bread basket for the entire country. Capturing waste and grey water and reusing it as much as possible is the best solution but likely won’t supply enough water as depends increase.

[walterhorton]

They should do something about the raw sewage coming from Mexico going into the ocean in San Diego before they even think about anything else.

[xxPlaceboxx]

water supply is about communities producing and saving their own water, not needing private companies making a profit off of public investments.

[KeepPrayingCA]

Like how Newsom still went ahead and did a desalination plant even though the coastal commission said no it’s too dangerous and will screw up the wildlife in the ocean.

[brentfrank]

Brilliant, brackish water in the Delta. Why not pump it out a few miles upstream where it’s still fresh water before the Delta….this state 🙄

[KeepPrayingCA]

How about stop tearing down resivours and fix and create more so we can store up for those atmospheric weather manipulated downfalls

[Freshbreath]

The next time Cali has another severe multi-year drought, they're gonna be glad they invested in desal infrastructure!!!! don't wait till the next drought before acting because it will probably come around sooner than later. better to prepared and equipped with a safety net than sorry and too late..

[Dixon_Yamada]

FYI: It's not "California's" water

[kevinclws]

How about mixing treated sewage do dilute the extra salty water exiting the desalination plant?

[NOCARES___..yo]

Can’t even finish the 20+ year old (SLOW) high SPEED RAIL YET

[jethazelblack]

At least nine government within cali are needed to get even a chance to think about desalination in cali. 😂 ridiculous!

[KeepPrayingCA]

I appreciate your investigative work even though it goes against the powers that be. Please keep that PG&E Newsom journalist and this one as well. These people are ruthless and sharing these truths I am sure doesn’t sit well with their don’t ask just vote democrat agenda even if it means destroying this once beautiful state

[yehuo]

finally!
hopefully we can use salt water soon... cause china is already doing it...

[JetSkiSuper]

The discharge of the salt brine into the ocean should be illegal.
Balance, nah, who needs it.