Oxnard Unveils Project Upgrading Water Supply

Bracing for future shortages and rising prices, Oxnard on Thursday unveiled a $50-million overhaul of its ground water-supply system, intended to provide the city with cheaper and more reliable water.

The ambitious program includes construction of a regional desalination plant to treat brackish ground water and make it potable, and a plan to recycle waste water for agricultural use.

“Things are getting tighter. Meanwhile, demand is going up,” said Ken Ortega, Oxnard water superintendent. “This was designed to bridge the gap, to make up the deficit that will just get larger as demand for water escalates.”