The Huntington Beach Desalination project is committed to protecting the environment
The Huntington Beach Desalination Facility will use state-of-the-art technology – a filtration system that can exceed current water quality and environmental requirements. Consistent with studies at other desalination plants worldwide, this facility is safe for the marine environment.
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The local marine environment is particularly suited for this facility. Because of the soft, sandy bottom, the open ocean location, and the lack of any Areas of Special Biological Significance (ASBS), the absence of fixed habitats (such as rocky substrates or kelp beds) and the mobile nature of the marine life along the coast of Huntington Beach, marine scientists have concluded that this location is better suited than others for a facility such as the Huntington Beach Desalination Facility. Relatively low natural salt levels of the water are also a factor.
Even with the addition of concentrated salt water to the ocean, the area immediately surrounding the discharge point is only as salty as the coastline off Baja California. This is good news for the neighborhood’s marine life. The species found near Huntington Beach are the same as those found in Baja California. They have adapted to the higher salt levels found in Baja and will not be affected by a very small area of saltier water near the discharge pipeline. Also, no bacteria are created or transferred by the water desalination facility. Additional pre-treatment steps will be taken as added insurance. Because we care about the environment, we at Poseidon Water will continually monitor and protect the water quality of the local ocean environment. Poseidon is working with state and local regulatory agencies, while also including input from the local Orange County community, to ensure that every safeguard is in place to provide a safe, sufficient water supply.
Even with the addition of concentrated salt water to the ocean, the area immediately surrounding the discharge point is only as salty as the coastline off Baja California. This is good news for the neighborhood’s marine life. The species found near Huntington Beach are the same as those found in Baja California. They have adapted to the higher salt levels found in Baja and will not be affected by a very small area of saltier water near the discharge pipeline. Also, no bacteria are created or transferred by the water desalination facility. Additional pre-treatment steps will be taken as added insurance. Because we care about the environment, we at Poseidon Water will continually monitor and protect the water quality of the local ocean environment. Poseidon is working with state and local regulatory agencies, while also including input from the local Orange County community, to ensure that every safeguard is in place to provide a safe, sufficient water supply.
We are currently working with:
Over the years, the proposed Huntington Beach facility has undergone extensive California Environmental Quality Act review including the preparation and certification of three separate Environmental Impact Reports. In 2005 the City of Huntington Beach certified the facility's Recirculated EIR, in 2010 the City certified the facility's Supplemental EIR and finally in 2017 the CA State Lands Commission certified the proposed projects second Supplemental EIR.
- City of Huntington Beach
- State Lands Commission
- Regional Water Quality Control Board
- California Coastal Commission
- California Department of Health Services
- Other Regulatory Agencies
Over the years, the proposed Huntington Beach facility has undergone extensive California Environmental Quality Act review including the preparation and certification of three separate Environmental Impact Reports. In 2005 the City of Huntington Beach certified the facility's Recirculated EIR, in 2010 the City certified the facility's Supplemental EIR and finally in 2017 the CA State Lands Commission certified the proposed projects second Supplemental EIR.
100% Carbon Neutral
Poseidon Water has made an unprecedented commitment that its Huntington Beach Seawater Desalination Facility will be 100% carbon neutral by offsetting all of the direct and indirect emissions from the construction and operation of its facility. Poseidon's Energy Minimization and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan (GHG Plan) was most recently approved by the State Lands Commisison in 2017 as part of the facility's Lease Amendment. While the reverse osmosis process to be used by Poseidon’s seawater desalination facility does not emit greenhouse gasses, the GHG Plan commits to offsetting 100% of the facility’s direct emissions from construction prior to the plant’s commercial operation, and then on a yearly basis Poseidon will zero out the indirect emissions associated with the purchase of electricity to operate the plant.
Poseidon Water’s Proposed Bolsa Chica Wetlands Restoration Project
In conjunction with the operations of its Huntington Beach Desalination Project, Poseidon Water has proposed to state regulators to assume responsibility for maintenance of tidal action to the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve (Bolsa Chica) wetlands. This restoration action – helping maintain a functioning ocean inlet – will assure long-term and effective tidal action to support estuarine and coastal fish populations in this important regional wetland habitat.
View Poseidon Water’s proposed Marine Life Mitigation Plan
Bolsa Chica is an approximately 1,500-acre coastal estuary located in Huntington Beach. The property is owned by the State Lands Commission and is managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and is the largest saltwater marsh between Monterey Bay and the Tijuana River Estuary. Bolsa Chica wetlands have a variety of vital functions including; natural flood control, organic water purification, land erosion control, as well as providing critical habitat to more than 1,100 species, including 50 endangered fish and wildlife species. Approximately 30,000 people visit the reserve each year for recreational activities, educational tours and wildlife watching.
While much work has been done to restore and maintain the wetlands, funds are drying up. California has already lost 91 percent of its wetlands – more than any other state – and the Bolsa Chica Lowlands are the last remaining large-scare wetlands in the state south of Monterey.
Poseidon Water has made an unprecedented commitment that its Huntington Beach Seawater Desalination Facility will be 100% carbon neutral by offsetting all of the direct and indirect emissions from the construction and operation of its facility. Poseidon's Energy Minimization and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan (GHG Plan) was most recently approved by the State Lands Commisison in 2017 as part of the facility's Lease Amendment. While the reverse osmosis process to be used by Poseidon’s seawater desalination facility does not emit greenhouse gasses, the GHG Plan commits to offsetting 100% of the facility’s direct emissions from construction prior to the plant’s commercial operation, and then on a yearly basis Poseidon will zero out the indirect emissions associated with the purchase of electricity to operate the plant.
Poseidon Water’s Proposed Bolsa Chica Wetlands Restoration Project
In conjunction with the operations of its Huntington Beach Desalination Project, Poseidon Water has proposed to state regulators to assume responsibility for maintenance of tidal action to the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve (Bolsa Chica) wetlands. This restoration action – helping maintain a functioning ocean inlet – will assure long-term and effective tidal action to support estuarine and coastal fish populations in this important regional wetland habitat.
View Poseidon Water’s proposed Marine Life Mitigation Plan
Bolsa Chica is an approximately 1,500-acre coastal estuary located in Huntington Beach. The property is owned by the State Lands Commission and is managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and is the largest saltwater marsh between Monterey Bay and the Tijuana River Estuary. Bolsa Chica wetlands have a variety of vital functions including; natural flood control, organic water purification, land erosion control, as well as providing critical habitat to more than 1,100 species, including 50 endangered fish and wildlife species. Approximately 30,000 people visit the reserve each year for recreational activities, educational tours and wildlife watching.
While much work has been done to restore and maintain the wetlands, funds are drying up. California has already lost 91 percent of its wetlands – more than any other state – and the Bolsa Chica Lowlands are the last remaining large-scare wetlands in the state south of Monterey.
100% Carbon Neutral and committed to the Bolsa Chica Wetlands Restoration Project.
“The science has demonstrated the effects of the desalination facility on the marine environment are benign, and in principle, no different than the effects of natural evaporation.”
~ Scott Jenkins, PhD. Scripps Institute of Oceanography