Underlying the long-running battles between proponents and opponents of the proposed Poseidon Resources ocean desalination plant is an ideological war between two roughly defined factions: conservationists and free-marketeers. The Orange County Water District(OCWD), which manages theSanta Ana River and the Orange County Groundwater Basin (a collection of aquifers containing 60 million acre-feet of water), is ground-zero in that war. (The OCWD supplies 75 percent of the drinking water for 2.4 million residents of north Orange County).

Despite some initial concerns over cost and value by some members, the Municipal Services Committee unanimously agreed to adopt a resolution in support of the California WaterFix project and California Eco Restore. Mayor Terry Tornek, a member of the committee, questioned representatives of the Metropolitan Water District as to whether or not alternative plans such as water conservation, saving rain water and similar plans, might decrease the demand for the plan, but was told that while local conservation efforts have been successful, the demand for water continues to increase.

Recently completed upgrades to water fixtures in nine historic buildings in Balboa Park will save an estimated 2.4 million gallons of water a year. The Balboa Park Cultural Partnership in cooperation with the San Diego County Water Authority and San Diego Gas & Electric installed 365 high-efficiency water fixtures throughout the park. The $166,000 project,  completed last week, will cut water use in restrooms by more than half, and also save energy. In addition, new signage at the popular local and tourist destination promotes water-use efficiency.