Carlsbad Desalination Plant Welcomes New Mission-Critical Crew to Continue Delivering Clean, Safe and Reliable Water to San Diego Count

As the COVID-19 public health crisis and California’s statewide Stay at Home order continue, a second team of ten IDE Americas Inc. mission-critical employees – including those in operations, maintenance and lab roles – has voluntarily locked in at the Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant. Their commitment to ensuring uninterrupted delivery of clean, safe and reliable water for San Diego County residents is admired.

The decision to have mission-critical employees shelter in place at the Carlsbad Plant, the largest desalination plant in the United States, was made with careful consideration last month after public health orders required that no more than ten people gather in one place. Acting quickly and without hesitation, plant operator IDE Americas Inc. and plant manager Poseidon Water, along with the San Diego County Water Authority, a public partner, worked diligently to put a plan in place that would enable employees to comfortably shelter in place at the plant for 21 days and ensure operational continuity.

Since initiating shelter in place on March 19, numerous other water facilities across the country have followed the Carlsbad plant’s example and are looking to IDE Americas Inc. and Poseidon Water for guidance. Until the pandemic ceases, mission-critical operations, maintenance and lab employees are committed to continuing plant operations and delivering continued water supply to the San Diego community. With the COVID-19 public health crisis persisting, the first team of ten was relieved by a second crew on April 9 and will remain at the plant until April 30.

To learn more about the operation and how we’re working to ensure everyone has reliable access to safe, clean water during this time, click here.