Deal reached for huge desalination plant in Calif.

The water authority, a wholesaler to 24 cities and agencies including the city of San Diego, says the average household water bill will increase about $5 to $7 a month when deliveries begin. It estimates the cost is comparable to other new, local sources of drinking water, like treated toilet water or briny groundwater.

Poseidon, based in Stamford, Conn., was plagued with cost overruns and delays at its desalination plant in Tampa, Fla., which produces up to 25 million gallons a day.

Ken Weinberg, the San Diego agency's water resources director, said Poseidon underestimated costs on the Tampa plant and had problems with its contractor that he is confident will not be repeated.

[link to hosted.ap.org]