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San Luis Obispo County Desalination Executable Solutions and Logistics (DESAL) USBR Feasibility Study - Community Survey

Thank you for taking the time to complete this community survey! The San Luis Obispo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (District) and the Desalination Executable Solution and Logistics (DESAL) Plan Partners are preparing a U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) Feasibility Study to evaluate and compare desalination project alternatives. By the end of this study, the District will have developed informed insights into the feasibility of an ocean desalination project. An integral part of this effort is you. Please help us understand your priorities and concerns by taking 5 minutes to share your insights.
1.What part of the county do you live in?
2.Do you feel the following statement is accurate or inaccurate: The San Luis Obispo County region (region) has sufficient water supply to meet our current needs?
3.Do you feel the following statement is accurate or inaccurate: Our region has sufficient water supply to meet our future needs?
4.Do you think the region should continue exploring and investing in local infrastructure projects to produce and deliver new water supplies to support our communities’ needs?
Water agencies throughout San Luis Obispo County use a variety of strategies to manage water supplies, including conservation, groundwater management, recycled water, stormwater capture, regional water planning, and other strategies. As water conditions, regulations, and community needs continue to evolve, agencies are also evaluating additional options that could contribute to future water supply reliability. The DESAL Feasibility Study is examining ocean desalination as one of those potential options.
5.Are you familiar with the concept of ocean water desalination (process of removing salt from ocean water) and its use for drinking water in various regions throughout the world?
6.Do you have a positive or negative impression of ocean desalination being used for drinking water?
The DESAL USBR Feasibility Study has identified five potential project concept alternatives for locating ocean desalination facility(ies) within San Luis Obispo County. These alternatives include general areas for potential desalination locations in Cambria, Cayucos/Estero Marine Terminal, Morro Bay, near South SLO Wastewater Treatment Plant, and Nipomo Mesa Refinery. Advancement of any conceptual alternative(s) or future project(s) would require additional studies, many steps of local and regulatory approvals, environmental review, and public input prior to any design or construction. Once this feasibility study is complete, local water agencies may consider taking steps to develop more detailed studies of any, all or none of the desalination alternatives.
7.Do you feel local agencies should continue evaluating ocean desalination as one potential component of the region's future water supply portfolio?
8.Please share a brief explanation of why you support or oppose or remain undecided about pursuing ocean desalination as a potential water source for the future.
9.What additional information would help you feel more informed about ocean desalination and regional water planning? Select up to 5.(Required.)
10.How important is strong environmental protection and monitoring in shaping your opinion about ocean desalination?
11.Future ocean desalination facilities would be required to comply with stringent California regulations as outlined in the California Ocean Plan, that protect ocean water quality and marine life. Does knowing this information relieve any of your concerns or strengthen your support?
12.Each of the five alternatives (view Table of alternatives on the DESAL website) have different characteristics, including benefits and limitations. After the conclusion of this feasibility study, local agencies within the region can pursue any, all, or none of the alternatives. Select the following alternatives you recommend for pursuing further study and development of ocean desalination facility(ies). Select up to 5.
13.In a few words of your own, reflecting on your response to the last question, why did you select the alternative(s) for further study and development of ocean desalination facility(ies)?
14.What concerns or questions should agencies continue to evaluate if they continue to consider future desalination projects?
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