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California's water crisis driving higher interest in desalination as a new source
By Drew Tuma at ABC7 News (KGO-TV, ABC)
· June 21, 2026
· 1 min read
From a fast-melting snowpack in the Sierra to over-pumped groundwater in the Central Valley and a drought on the Colorado River, California's water supply is facing enormous pressure. Increasingly, some believe the only real alternative is to draw water from the Pacific Ocean offshore.
Key takeaway Increasingly, some believe the only real alternative is to draw water from the Pacific Ocean offshore.
Why this matters in The San Francisco
San Francisco 's proximity to the Pacific Ocean makes desalination a potentially viable solution for the city's own water woes. As the state's water supply continues to face pressure from various sources, local officials may be forced to consider desalination as a way to supplement the city's water needs. The city's water infrastructure is already stretched thin, and desalination could provide a new source of water to support the city's growing population and businesses. However, the high energy costs and potential environmental impacts associated with desalination will need to be carefully weighed against the potential benefits. San Francisco's history of innovation and commitment to sustainability could make it an ideal location to develop and implement new desalination technologies that minimize environmental harm while providing a reliable source of water for the city's residents and businesses. This could be a key area to watch in the coming months.
About this story
Original reporting by ABC7 News (KGO-TV, ABC) . The San Francisco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ABC7 News (KGO-TV, ABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 21, 2026 ·
Source: ABC7 News (KGO-TV, ABC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? From a fast-melting snowpack in the Sierra to over-pumped groundwater in the Central Valley and a drought on the Colorado River, California's water supply is facing enormous pressure. Increasingly, some believe the only real alternative is to draw water from the Pacific Ocean offshore.
When was this published? This article was first published on June 21, 2026 by ABC7 News (KGO-TV, ABC) and curated for The San Francisco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Drew Tuma at ABC7 News (KGO-TV, ABC). To learn more about how The San Francisco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Francisco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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