Project Benefits

Agriculture Industry & MCWRA

  • All tertiary treated wastewater is committed to the Castroville Seawater Intrusion Project (CSIP)
  • Reduces groundwater pumping by over 2000 acre feet per year
  • Creates additional water in the winter by reducing stormwater runoff into the ocean
  • Treats impaired agricultural surface waters
  • Reduces future capital improvement project costs
  • Builds a drought reserve
  • Shares water rights acquisition costs
  • Improves water quality of the Salinas Valley Basin

M1W

  • Receives priority additional incremental new source water
  • Allows agency to pursue additional sources on behalf of all stakeholders
  • Reduces discharge to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
  • Diversifies water supply options increasing reliability and security
  • Shares capital costs of facilities and water rights acquisition
  • Addresses Monterey Peninsula Areas of Special Biological Significance (ASBS) stormwater runoff concerns

City of Salinas

    • Addresses stormwater permitting issues
    • Creates source of recycled water from Ag Wash Water (water used to wash bagged vegetables)
    • Secures new economic development opportunities within city
    • Reduces water and wastewater rates to industrial and agricultural customers
    • Improves emergency sewage by-pass operations at no cost

MCWD

  • Utilizes existing pipeline infrastructure
  • Monetizes investment potentially reducing customer investment
  • Allows for stormwater diversion

MPWMD

  • Creates up to 3500 acre feet of water for Monterey Peninsula
  • Reduces stormwater runoff into Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
  • Allows for smaller components of Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project
  • Smaller carbon footprint and significantly less environmental impact than desalination
  • Reduces discharge into the Monterey Bay ASBS
  • Improves the water quality in the Seaside Groundwater Basin
  • Combats seawater intrusion in the Seaside Groundwater Basin