The U.S. Department of State granted a presidential permit allowing the construction of a nearly four-mile potable water pipeline that begins at the U.S.-Mexico border to the Otay Water District.

The permit authorises the District to “construct, connect, operate, and maintain cross-border water pipeline facilities for the importation of desalinated seawater at the International Boundary between the United States and Mexico in San Diego County, California.”

The proposed Rosarito plant and the District’s $30 million Otay Mesa Conveyance and Disinfection System Project answers the growing need for new potable water supplies in Mexico and San Diego County, and would provide its customers with a new drought-proof water supply. The current population that is being serviced with water is around 223,000 people, which is expected to increase to in excess of 308,000 by 2050.

Purchasing and transporting water Aguas de Rosarito’s $421 million desalination plant in Rosarito, Baja California, Mexico, is a component of the District’s water supply diversification efforts, and is expected to potentially produce sufficient water to meet around 67% of the District’s projected water use by 2024.

The Rosarito facility would produce up to 100-million gallons of water daily in two phases; the first phase is expected to be operational by late 2019 or early 2020, making approximately 50-million gallons or more of desalinated water available daily to the Tijuana/Rosarito region. The second phase is expected to be completed by 2024, and will deliver in the region of an additional 50-million gallons daily; 10 to 30%of that water available to the District.

Otay currently maintains the only two existing presidential permits for water crossings along the U.S.-Mexico Border, and the Otay Mesa Conveyance and Disinfection System Project will be the first cross-border project of its kind to import water to the U.S. from Mexico.

“Although there are still several hurdles to overcome, receiving the presidential permit for this project is a giant leap for the District and its customers so we have more control over our local water supply,” said Mark Watton, the District’s general manager. “Desal water from Rosarito would be a closer and highly reliable source water.”

Get water coolers and water coolers accessories from Living-Water.