Despite being relatively impressive tourist sites, the cities from Santa Cruz to Monterey Bay area are overwhelmed by a scarcity of one very crucial basic need: water. Chronic water shortages are difficult to overlook in this part of California. However, proponents of the new desalination project in Monterey presents an alternative that seems to have more far-reaching consequences.
Deep Water Desal Project
In essence, this project entails drawing sea water from one of the world's deepest canyons instead of the conventional approach via the shallow beach surface. Located in Moss Landing, the infrastructure traverses the extent of the 10,000 feet deep underwater Monterey Canyon.
According to an article in the 2016 National Geographic magazine, this project sponsored by the Monterey Bay Regional Water Project will address the recurring water shortages and supply 50,000 homes annually while greatly saving energy enough to power nearly 65,000 residences per year. In addition, this initiative is designed to increase the cool-down capacity of the region's newly installed data center, hence greatly increasing internet speed. Lastly, the Deep Water Desal Project can also aid in augmenting the production of construction materials with the leftover limestone residue generated after each desalination cycle.
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
As noble and revolutionary as the idea would seem, there are still a number of concerned groups opposed to this initiative. The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is always at the forefront of resisting industrial development in line with preserving sea-borne wildlife.
The key contention is that direct open-sea invasion of the Monterey Canyon's depths could potentially harm deepwater flora and fauna. Understandably, such resistance is motivated by Monterey Bay's sad history of pesticide pollution that nearly killed off local pelicans.
2018 And Into The Future
The implementation of the Deep Water Desal Project, provided that its potential hazards are addressed, could greatly improve the quality of life among the residents of Monterey Bay. Increased water supply, cheaper electricity bill, and a faster internet connection could draw more residents and even tourists eying the Lonely Cypress Tree and Pebble Beach. Who knows, the Deep Water Desal facility may eventually be inscribed as a UNESCO Heritage Site for its noble contribution to science, technology, and the environment.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
