San Diego Democrat Representative, Susan Davis, has announced a US$ 5.2 million federal grant to expand a desalination facility in a bid to secure water independence for the region.
The grant to the Sweetwater Authority from the Department of the Interior will go toward more than doubling the capacity of the Richard A Reynolds desalination facility to some 10,000 Ml a year.
“Increasing sources of reliable drinking water and our region’s water independence must be a priority,” said Davis. “California is in the grips of a historic drought and improving our water infrastructure will be key to surviving this drought and any future water shortages.”
The water produced by the facility provides drinking water to residents of Bonita, Chula Vista and National City. The City of San Diego is partnering with the Sweetwater Authority in the expansion and will receive half of the water produced.