Military on Mission to Maximize Region's Water Supply

Leaders in San Diego's military community are studying how to wring more from their water supplies, a move that benefits communities on either side of the fence.

At Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, officials are studying the county's second plant to turn seawater into fresh water, as well as a project to draw more water from the Santa Margarita River.

If built, both projects would provide water to the base and the region as a whole.

The proposed plant would produce 50 million to 150 million gallons of water per day, according to Dan Lizzul, the base's director of water resources.

The plant's cost is not yet available, but should be part of a feasibility study due early next year, said a county water authority spokesman.

By way of comparison, Connecticut-based Poseidon Resources plans to spend $300 million on a Carlsbad plant to turn seawater into 50 million gallons of fresh water a day.

River Resource

Meanwhile, federal and Fallbrook officials are weighing a plan to take more water from the Santa Margarita River, which flows through the southern part of the base.