Santa Barbara's planned desalination plant has moved into the final phase of construction, which will involve offshore work.
On the beach, long stretches of green fence encircle the work areas and block off the heavy equipment.
A barge will bring parts, pumps, pipes and supplies to connect those pieces to a sub-surface intake screen.
The intake components will be in and working by mid-December.
The city says the plant will then enter a roughly two month testing phase, after which the plant will be deemed operational and the water potable.
The target date was set for mid-February, but is subject to change based on ocean waves and stormy weather conditions.
