Study shows Monterey Peninsula has most expensive water

The most expensive water in the country is on the Monterey Peninsula. That’s what a new study from a national non-profit, Food & Water Watch, is saying.

Though California American Water, or Cal Am – Monterey, does acknowledge that rates increased in the past months, they say there’s more to be considered.

One local group says they want to see Cal Am out of the picture altogether.

Food & Water Watch says Cal Am is the most expensive water provider in the country. It’s up from number 9 when the study was done back in 2015.

Local advocacy group, Public Water Now says they’re surprised.

“We thought we might end up at fifth or fourth or something but they did a new survey and they came out number one,” said George Riley, the group’s managing director, “We’re number one!”

According to the study, Cal Am charges a typical household using 60,000 gallons a year more than 1200 dollars, that’s up from 700 in 2015.

Cal Am says the study doesn’t show the whole picture.

“Just looking at a comparison of water rates is not very meaningful if you don’t understand the challenges and the requirements of each system,” says Catherine Stedman, Manager of External Affairs with Cal Am

The water provider says a lot goes into determining water rates.

“That depends on all sorts of factors including where the water is coming from, the size of the system, the complication of the infrastructure within the system and the level of investment that’s required,” Stedman said.

Cal Am also says, they don’t set the rates, that’s up to the California Public Utilities Commission.

“[The California Public Utilities Commission does] set the rates, absolutely true,” Riley said. “But they get the idea for the rates from Cal Am.”

But Public Water Now says they have a solution and they’re trying to spread the word.

“We just think the answer’s got to be public ownership,” Riley said. “We’re going to be promoting that.”

Cal Am says they have resources to help you save water and lower your bill on their website, you can get there by clicking this link.

For more info about Public Water Now and the Food & Water Watch study, click here.