According to a report releassd on November 4, 2009 by the consumer advocacy group Food & Water Watch, the cost of water from Poseidon’s proposed Carlsbadistan desalination plant could cost three times as much as the company has projected.
“Poseidon claims that their Carlsbad desalination water will come at ‘no expense to the region’s taxpayers,’ yet they are counting on Metropolitan Water District ratepayers and taxpayers to underwrite the project,” said Renee Maas, water program organizer for Food & Water Watch. “Policymakers should learn from Poseidon’s failed Tampa Bay facility and only use public funds for effective and responsible projects.”
According to James Fryer, the author of the new report even if things go well costs could still reach $1910 per acre-foot which is twice the $950 claimed by Poseidon.
Cost over-runs and bankruptcy marked Poseidon’s previous foray into the desalination business. The Tampa Bay plant opened over a year behind schedule, and then required immediate rehabilitation. As a result, he project ran 44 percent over projected capital cost and has never produced the 25 MGD originally promised by Poseidon.
Hurray for desal. . . to read the entire report, click here for the PDF.
[Link: Common Dreams]
RSS Feed-Posts
It’s Bush’s fault.
This plan is doomed from the beginning. It’s a shame to see our city name attached to such a project. The fundamentals of desal are exactly what we need, but until a solid plan and a way to pay for that plan are developed, we cannot afford to let this continue. Not only Carlsbad, but region residents need to step up and voice their opposition to this project. It will all lead to higher taxes and higher water bills.
Who on the council is going to unite the people against this?
Jon Wantz
Candidate for Carlsbad City Council 2010
Comments on this entry are closed.