샌디에고 유니언 트리뷴의 보도에 따르면 바하칼리포르니아(Baja California) 지역에 제안된 대규모 해수 담수화 시설에 대한 사업의 파트너들은 현재 법적 다툼을 진행 중이다. 하루처리용량 400Ml 규모로 진행된 로사리토비치(Rosarito Beach) 를랜트 사업은 서반구 지역에서 가장 큰 담수화 시설로 최근에 개소한 칼스베드(Carlsbad) 플랜트 규모를 능가한다.

 

개발 사업의 옛 파트너인 Gough Thompson은 이번 사업에서 △Alejandro de la Vega △Consolidated Water사 등이 프로젝트 개발을 위해 설정된 NSC Agua의 지분을 통해 미국 및 멕시코 법정에서 싸우고 있다고 밝혔다.

 

 

 

A giant seawater desalination facility proposed for Baja California, is currently mired in a legal wrangle between former partners in the venture according to a report in local newspaper, The San Diego Union-Tribune. Were it to go ahead the 400 Ml/d Rosarito Beach plant would topple the recently opened Carlsbad plant from its position as the largest desalination plant in the western hemisphere.

 

But octogenarian, Gough Thompson, and his former partners in the development of the project: Baja California businessman; Alejandro de la Vega, and water supplier Consolidated Water; are battling in the US and Mexican courts over shareholdings in NSC Agua - the company they set up to develop the project.

 

Meanwhile NSC Agua is preparing its bid to build, finance and operate the facility under Baja California's new public-private partnership law.

 

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, state officials have revealed that seven potential bidders have have come forward. Final proposals are due by March 23, and the announcement of the winner is expected in May. The first construction phase is slated for a 2019 start with full buildout by 2024.

 

Baja California officials have been reported as saying the plant is intended as a source of water for the state's need. But state authorities have, according to the San Diego Union- Tribune, been in talks with San Diego County's Otay Water District over the sale of water to the municipality when the project enters its second phase.

 

The district has sought a permit to build pipeline to carry up to 200 Ml/d from Mexico to California.

 

[출처 = Desalination & Water Reuse / 2016년 3월 14일]