SACRAMENTO — Opposition voices to a series of desalination plants in the state of California are becoming more audible, according to Reuters.

There are some 20 proposals currently in the works that would turn salty Pacific Ocean water into potable tap water, the story stated.

According to the article, opponents argue that the technology is too expensive and damaging to the environment and that the state could do a lot more to conserve water without fattening the pockets of Wall Street investors.

Another nay-saying argument is that the process of desalination creates a large carbon footprint: For the popular reverse osmosis method, which pushes water through membranes, about 40 percent of the operating cost is electricity to power the plant, the story noted.

Paul Shoenberger, general manager of the Mesa Consolidated Water District who also heads CalDesal, a newly formed pro-desalination lobbying group for the Golden State, said: “Desalination is not the solution. But, for some agencies, it’s part of the solution. With water being so critical these days, we shouldn't be taking any options off the table, and I don't think we should be pursing only one option.”

The price of desalinated water varies depending on the cost of energy and can be upwards of quadruple the current price municipalities pay for water imported from the Colorado River and the San Joaquin basin, the story added.

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