California American Water Makes Formal Filing in Support of Recycled Water Project
All Three Elements of Water Supply Project Now Moving Forward
PACIFIC GROVE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Earlier today California American Water president Rob MacLean filed testimony with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) in support of the groundwater replenishment project known as Pure Water Monterey.
“Pure Water Monterey helps to diversify our water supply portfolio and brings many environmental benefits,” said California American Water president Rob MacLean. “By maximizing recycled water opportunities, we will be able to decrease the size of our proposed desalination plant and reduce our environmental footprint. We are hopeful the Commission analysis of the project will show its cost to be reasonable and affirm the advantages it has over building a larger desalination plant.”
In his testimony, MacLean said the groundwater replenishment project carries with it potential advantages in terms of schedule and reduced environmental impacts that could make it a preferable option to a larger desalination plant. It is expected the customer bill impacts for the project will be the same or marginally higher than the larger desalination option. MacLean also asked the California Public Utilities Commission to consider the overwhelming support Pure Water Monterey has received from local elected officials.
The Monterey Peninsula Water Management District and Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control Agency recently completed the required environmental study for the Pure Water Monterey project. California American Water has also negotiated near-final terms of a water purchase agreement for Pure Water Monterey, which would provide for delivery of 3,500 acre-feet per year of advanced-treated, recycled water to serve as a key component of the future water supply for the Monterey Peninsula. The California Public Utilities Commission is expected to issue its decision on the Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project, including approval of the Pure Water Monterey purchase agreement, by the end of the year.
California American Water’s proposed Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project consists of a 6.4 million gallon per day seawater desalination facility, water purchased from the Pure Water Monterey project, and expanded underground storage of excess winter river flows. When combined with existing supplies, including groundwater, and 300 acre-feet a year from the Sand City desalination facility, the project will meet the water demands of the Monterey Peninsula community and reduce production from the Carmel River, home to threatened species. The Pure Water Monterey Project will reduce stormwater runoff into the Monterey Bay National Marine Sactuary and reduce discharge to the portions of the Monterey Bay coast designated as Areas of Special Biological Significance.
The Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project is expected to be complete in 2019. Deliveries of water from Pure Water Monterey are expected to begin in July of that year. For more information on the Monterey Peninsula Water Supply project, visit www.watersupplyproject.org.