Regional Water Board Staff Recommends APPROVAL of HB Desal plant

On Tuesday, July 21, the Santa Ana Regional Water Board staff issued their recommendation that its Board APPROVE the renewal of the Huntington Beach Seawater Desalination Plant permit, at their board hearing on July 30-31.  Public testimony via Zoom will begin on Thursday, July 30.  This flyer has more information about the hearing.  If you would like to register to speak, please reach out to Brian Lochrie at or by phone or text at 949-294-8269.

The Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board has approved the operation of the desalination twice before, first in 2006 and again in 2012.  Staff has carefully reviewed this project and has determined that Poseidon’s proposed technological enhancements to the seawater intake and discharge facilities complies with the California Water Code and the more recently adopted Ocean Plan Amendment that includes regulations for proposed desalination plants.

Poseidon Water’s proposed plant in Huntington Beach will be 100% carbon-neutral and thanks to the mitigation being proposed to protect and preserve the Bolsa Chica wetlands, the project will have a net environmental benefit to Huntington Beach.

The Huntington Beach Seawater Desalination Plant will be the most environmentally responsible desalination plant in the world.  The project will also create thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in tax revenue for the local schools and city services.

If the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board approves the permit renewal for the desalination plant, the project will need just one more permit from the California Coastal Commission before construction can begin.