en.Wedoany.com Reported - Water agencies in the Los Angeles region are exploring a new seawater desalination process that utilizes the natural pressure of the ocean to address increasingly severe water shortages. The Las Virgenes Municipal Water District, which supplies water to approximately 70,000 local users, was severely impacted in 2022 by drought and reduced allocations from the State Water Project. David W. Pedersen, General Manager of the district, stated that water deliveries from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California decreased by 74% in 2022. To address this issue, the agency partnered with developer OceanWell to test an offshore desalination method. This method uses cylindrical pods that can be placed at depths of up to 1,400 feet, relying on ocean pressure to drive intake pumps and filters, producing drinking water through reverse osmosis. Las Virgenes completed pod testing at a municipal reservoir by the end of 2025.
The three-month pilot results "exceeded expectations," said Mark Golay, Director of Engineering Programs at OceanWell. He noted that the tests demonstrated the underwater reverse osmosis process is "a practical and economical way to reduce costs, energy consumption, and environmental impact in water treatment applications." Test data showed that the pods achieved a recovery flow rate of 85% and an operational efficiency of 93% during the study period. Pedersen added that mitigation strategies for cleaning the pods were also developed and tested during the pilot.
The next phase aims to build an offshore "farm" system, tentatively planned for deployment approximately 4.5 miles off the coast of Malibu. The system is expected to become operational around 2028, delivering about 1 million gallons of water per day to shore via one or more landing pipelines. Pedersen stated that six water agencies have already supported the project and are forming a joint powers authority to advance collaboration. These agencies have also hired HDR Engineering to design the water conveyance system, utilizing existing and new infrastructure to deliver desalinated water to coastal and inland communities.
This fall, an ocean test is planned in Santa Monica Bay, where a pod will be suspended from a boat at depth for operation. The test has been approved by the California Coastal Commission, and OceanWell views it as a key step from controlled reservoir conditions to actual marine deployment. Pedersen said a subsequent demonstration project will involve fixing a pod to the seabed in situ for about a year to collect data. He mentioned that feasibility studies on onshore and offshore infrastructure are being prepared to advance a full-scale project with a maximum daily production capacity of 50 million gallons. Relevant data will be provided to state and federal regulators for permit applications and to determine the cost-effectiveness and competitiveness of the process.
In addition to this project, OceanWell is exploring collaborations with water agencies in places such as Arizona and southern France, aiming to build 15 water farms globally within the next decade. Pedersen stated that Las Virgenes is investing in potable water reuse projects to meet 30% of its water demand.
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