VENTURA : Study Recommends State Water Hookup

An engineering report released Wednesday reinforces earlier studies concluding that the most economical way to increase Ventura water supplies is to hook up with the state water project at Castaic Lake.

According to a report by Boyle Engineering Corp., it would cost the city about $62.8 million to join Casitas Municipal Water District and United Water Conservation District in building a pipeline to the lake. By comparison, it would cost the city $61.9 million to build a seawater desalination plant.

Although it would cost less to build a desalination facility, it is less expensive to operate and maintain a pipeline, according to the report. Operating the plant would cost the city about $16.1 million a year, compared to $8.8 million for a pipeline.