The plant is now distributing desalinated water into the city's water system utilising IDE's seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) technology. It will produce nearly 3.0 million gallons per day to meet 30% of the city's demand.
"The desalination plant's design includes high-efficiency pumps and motors that reduce the plant's overall electrical demands by 40% compared to the last plant," reports Joshua Haggmark, the City of Santa Barbara's Water Resources Manager.
"Restarting this plant puts the city in a position to better manage water shortages through a more diversified supply mix."
The city's water supply portfolio includes local surface water, state water, groundwater, recycled water, water conservation, and now desalinated water.
"Our advanced desalination technology and engineering expertise has made the Santa Barbara desalination facility more energy-efficient and the water supply more affordable," says Gilad Cohen, CEO of IDE Americas.
"The drinking water produced by the plant allows the city to meet its water requirement while utilizing natural sources alongside continued conservation efforts."