Planning assumptions / 02
The numbers are a starting point, not a promise.
Pacific Aquarius uses order-of-magnitude figures to make the system legible. Every estimate below requires independent hydrology, energy, environmental, route, engineering, and commercial validation before it can be treated as a project commitment.
Throughput
9.3 billion gallons per day
The current screening concept uses a 9.3 billion gallon-per-day planning figure. Its measurement point—seawater intake, treatment feed, or delivered freshwater—has not yet been defined. It is not an established capacity or delivery forecast.
- Validate against regional demand, seasonal demand, conservation, reuse, and alternative supply.
- Model pumping, elevation, storage, and treatment losses before selecting a design capacity.
Capital frame
$100B–$250B planning range
This broad range is a screening frame for a destination-scale system spanning intake, conveyance, power, storage, treatment, land, permitting, and delivery.
- The range excludes the precision of a feasibility study.
- Cost must be broken into route segments, plant trains, power systems, storage, contingencies, and operations.
Energy
The binding constraint
Pumping seawater inland and treating it at scale would require a dedicated energy strategy. The project must compare firm power, renewables, storage, transmission, and demand management.
- Energy intensity and elevation profile will determine route economics.
- A credible plan needs lifecycle emissions and water-energy tradeoff analysis.
Delivery
Storage first, distribution second
The proposed delivery method is bulk conveyance into the inland reserve, followed by staged regional delivery from the treatment plant through storage and local networks.
Commercial model
Can a resort help fund the waterworks?
The project proposes hospitality, recreation, attractions, and visitor experiences inspired by Disneyland’s destination model. A credible business case must compare visitor demand, seasonal occupancy, pricing, capital costs, debt service, and ongoing water and resort operations. Revenue and profitability have not been established.
Disclosure
What is known and unknown
The project is concept-stage. Route, throughput, cost, energy, environmental effects, salinity management, water rights, governance, and schedule remain subjects for study.