Supporting San Diego County, Every Step of the Way

Delivering Water While Enriching San Diego’s Communities

The Carlsbad Desalination Plant is more than an infrastructure project — it’s a commitment to the local community. During construction, over 2,300 jobs were created, along with hundreds of positions for skilled operators and support staff. The plant contributes millions of dollars in annual tax revenue, supporting local services, schools, and public projects. Environmental considerations also enhance community access: more than 15 acres of coastal land were preserved, providing trails, fishing areas, and scenic viewpoints for residents and visitors to enjoy. By integrating community-focused planning, economic impact, and environmental stewardship, the plant strengthens both the social and natural fabric of San Diego County while delivering safe, reliable drinking water every day.

Tribute to Claude "Bud" Lewis

Claude “Bud” Lewis dedicated nearly four decades to serving the residents of the City of Carlsbad and San Diego County. Affectionately known as “Bud” or “Buddy” to his constituents, Lewis served 16 years on the Carlsbad City Council and a record 24 years as mayor of the City of Carlsbad.

In this capacity, Mayor Lewis served more than 15 years on the San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors. Committed to increasing water independence for San Diego County, he was a tireless advocate for water supply reliability projects, including the Carlsbad Desalination Project, and his ardent support proved instrumental in making the Carlsbad project a reality.
The Claude “Bud” Lewis Desalination Plant stands as a testament to his leadership and vision for a more sustainable and independent water reliability future in San Diego County.

Economic Benefits for San Diego County

Beyond providing safe, reliable drinking water, the Carlsbad Desalination Plant generates lasting economic value for the region. Each year, the facility contributes $50 million in local spending and supports 500 indirect jobs throughout San Diego County.

This makes desalination not only a solution for water security, but also a powerful engine for community growth and prosperity.

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    Job
    Creation

    Thousands of construction & permanent jobs supported.

  • Channelside Assets_Economic-Icon

    Economic Contribution

    Millions in annual tax revenue for local services.

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    Public
    Access

    Preserved coastal land for trails, fishing, & recreation.

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    Education & Awareness

    Public & School Programs on Water & Environment.

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    Sustianable Community

    Combining reliable water, environmental care, & economic benefits.

Making Desalination Affordable

For decades, the high cost of water production was the biggest challenge to large-scale seawater desalination. Today, thanks to major technological advances, desalination has become a cost-effective and reliable water supply solution.

Modern reverse osmosis (RO) filtration systems are more durable and affordable than ever before. Advancements in RO Technology have improved efficiency while reducing production costs.

Reducing Energy Costs

Energy use has always been one of the largest expenses in desalination, accounting for nearly one-third of total production costs. At Carlsbad, innovative energy recovery devices, co-location with power facilities, and the construction of large-capacity plants have all helped cut costs.

The use of Design-Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (DBOOT) project delivery has also improved efficiency and enhanced competition, driving costs down even further.

Take a Pop-up Tour of the Carlsbad Desalination Plant

Plant Dedication Photos

High resolution photos of the Plant Dedication can be viewed and downloaded from our Flickr page.

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