SAN DIEGO—An effort to build the Western Hemisphere's largest seawater desalination plant faces a key test as San Diego's regional water agency decides whether to buy all its output despite criticism that cheaper alternatives may be overlooked. The San Diego County Water Authority board on Thursday will consider a 30-year contract to buy the water from Poseidon Resources LLC, which needs the deal to move ahead with plans to sell bonds that would pay for more than 80 percent of $984 million project. Read more.

City Council Votes To Purchase Desal Water for 'Drought Insurance'
Carlsbad Patch - By Oren Goodman.
Carlsbad City Council has entered into a intent to sign a contract with San Diego County Water Authority to buy 12.5 percent of its water directly from the proposed Carlsbad Desalination Project. At Tuesday’s city council meeting, the council, in it’s role as the board of directors for the Carlsbad Municipal Water District, voted to enter into contract to purchase 2500 acre feet of desalinated water from the San Diego County Water Authority. One acre-foot is 325,900 gallons, enough for two four-person households for one year. Read more.

Reliable water is San Diego's lifeblood; desalination plan cannot die now
North County Times
It is no exaggeration to say that political leaders from throughout the region have a decision to make on Thursday that will significantly impact the economy and the quality of life throughout San Diego County Board members of the San Diego County Water Authority, representing two dozen separate water agencies in the region, will decide the fate of a $1 billion plan, more than 12 years in the making, to build what would be the largest and most technologically advanced desalination plant in the United States. The reasons to move forward are compelling. But the issues involved are weighty and a decision in favor is hardly considered a slam dunk. Read more.