OceanWell Co. is developing a groundbreaking desalination technology to secure a fresh water supply for California, utilizing underwater pods to extract saltwater while minimizing environmental impact. Currently in a pilot study at Las Virgenes Reservoir, these pods showcase a potential solution for water scarcity in drought-affected areas. This novel approach aims to eliminate toxic brine and avoid marine life disruption by keeping the salt in low concentrations at the ocean's depths. Successful implementation could enhance climate resilience for cities facing water shortages.
"It can potentially provide us Californians with a reliable water supply that doesn't create toxic brine that impacts marine life, nor does it have intakes that suck the life out of the ocean," said Mark Gold, director of water scarcity solutions for the Natural Resources Defense Council.
"We pull fresh water only up out of the ocean, and the salt stays down there in low concentrations, where it's not an environmental problem," Quinn said.
The pilot study, supported by Las Virgenes Municipal Water District, is being closely watched by managers of several large water agencies in Southern California.
If this technology is proven to be viable, scalable and cost-effective, it would greatly enhance our climate resilience.
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