Fort Bragg to test states first wave-powered desalination system to boost water supply - Local News Matters

Fort Bragg has initiated a pilot program to test California's first wave-powered desalination buoy, a collaboration with Oneka Technologies and funded by a $1. 5 million state grant. The buoy, part of the ResilienSea Project, is designed to convert seawater into freshwater without reliance on batteries or fossil fuels. Expected to generate around 13,200 gallons of freshwater per day during a year-long trial, the system aims to address the city's ongoing water scarcity issues. Oneka estimates that the project could save 50 tons of CO₂ emissions annually compared to conventional desalination methods.

Local officials emphasize the project's role in promoting the blue economy, focusing on renewable energy and marine-tech jobs. They are optimistic that the buoy will provide a reliable freshwater source during drought years, which have severely impacted the region in the past. The next year will involve rigorous monitoring of the buoy's performance and water quality. Fort Bragg aims to set a precedent for innovative environmental solutions in water management.