Santa Cruz City Council in California, USA, approved a fifth contract on 24 January 2012 with consultant Kennedy/Jenks for work on its proposed seawater desalination plant.
The US$ 95,000 contract covers public outreach work related to the environmental impact report for the project, expected to be published in April 2012.
The consulting cost, now said to be at US$ 1.48 million since 2009, will be shared between the city and Soquel Creek Water District.
Design of the 2.5 MGD (9,450 m³/d) desalination plant’s intake facility could begin in 2013, with treatment facility construction in 2014.