Pure Water Monterey Announces Release of Draft Environmental Impact Report

For Immediate Release

Media Contacts:
David J. Stoldt
Monterey Peninsula Water Management District
831.658.5650/dstoldt@mpwmd.net
Keith Israel
Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control Agency
831.372.3367/keith@mrwpca.com

Pure Water Monterey Announces Release of Draft Environmental Impact Report

Project Will Provide Water for Monterey Peninsula and Salinas Valley

Monterey, Calif.,  April 22, 2015 — The Monterey Peninsula Water Management District (MPWMD) and the Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control Agency (MRWPCA) are proud to jointly announce the release of the Pure Water Monterey Groundwater Replenishment Project Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR). Pure Water Monterey is a multi-region, multi-benefit project that addresses the water supply needs of the Monterey Peninsula and the Salinas Valley by not only delivering highly purified  water for replenishment of the Seaside Groundwater Basin, but also delivering additional tertiary treated water to the Salinas Valley for agricultural irrigation, thereby reducing groundwater pumping in that area.

“The future of water is here,” explained Dave Stoldt, General Manager of the MPWMD and one of the project partners. “This project is truly revolutionary in that it addresses multiple water related issues including supply, treatment and environmental mitigation in two distinct regions while delivering water for residential, business, industrial and agricultural uses.”

The DEIR can be found at www.purewatermonterey.org and the public is encouraged to review and comment on the document during the established 45-day period that opens today and closes on June 5, 2015 at 5pm. These comments will then be addressed in the Final EIR. The public is also invited to two separate public information meetings. There, attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the project during a presentation followed by a question and answer period where the project’s DEIR will be discussed. Spanish translation will be provided at each ADA accessible location.

“The MRWPCA has been in the business of treating and recycling water for many years,” said MRWPCA General Manager Keith Israel. “Pure Water Monterey is a natural progression forward and is a critical component of solving our region’s water supply issues. Not only is it an environmentally responsible project, but it is projected to be online and delivering water by the fall of 2017. This is important as it shows the State Water Resources Control Board that Monterey County is serious about the future of our water.”

All comments regarding the DEIR under the State of California’s CEQA process should be directed via mail, email or fax to:

By Mail:

Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control Agency
Administrative Office
ATTN: Bob Holden, Principal Engineer
5 Harris Ct. Bldg. D • Monterey, CA • 93940

By Email: gwr@mrwpca.com
By Fax: (831) 372-6178

When faxing comments, please also email or send a physical copy of the correspondence to the above address to ensure receipt.

The Public Information Meetings will be held at the following locations where written comments regarding the Draft EIR will also be accepted:

May 20, 2015
Oldemeyer Center
986 Hilby Avenue
Seaside, CA 93955
6pm-8pm

May 21, 2015
Hartnell College
Room B-208 (Student Services Building)
411 Central Avenue
Salinas, CA 93901
4pm to 6pm

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About Pure Water Monterey

Pure Water Monterey is a multi-region, multi-benefit advanced water purification project that will recycle and deliver highly treated waste, storm, agricultural and impaired waters to the residents, businesses and agricultural interests of Monterey County. It is a partnership between the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District and the Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control Agency with additional project participation by the Monterey County Water Resources  Agency, the City of Salinas, the Marina Coast Water District and the Salinas Valley Agricultural Community.