City of Santa Cruz Council in California, USA, approved another US$ 300,000 payment on 2 August 2011 for consultant URS Corp Americas to continue its work on the environmental impact assessment for a 2.5 MGD (9,500 m³/d) desalination plant for the city.
However, the city also unanimously agreed to join a study with Scotts Valley and Soquel Creek water districts for conjunctive use, which could be an alternative to the desalination plant.
Santa Cruz water director Bill Kocher said in a report that the consultant needed more funding because research and other work increased after public comments and questions regarding the scope of the environmental report, which would now be delayed until spring 2012.