Recycled water for farm use hits 20 year anniversary

An unconventional route from farm to table has proven successful. A program that uses recycled water to bring fresh produce to people across the county, celebrates its 20th anniversary.

Two decades later, the process of turning wastewater into recycled water still means a great deal to local farmers.

The Castroville Seawater Intrusion Project (CSIP) began with the collaboration of Monterey One Water and Monterey County Water Resources Agency, back in 1995. It wasn’t until three years later that recycled water first entered the distribution pipeline, helping to water crops across Salinas Valley.

Today, nearly 12,000 acres of farmland in the area are supplied with water that has been recycled.

The project has helped to save farmland threatened by seawater intruding into its groundwater supply.

This was a concern of Salinas Valley Farmer, Lou Calcagno. “When this project went into affect we were growing artichokes on the ranch. It was very important because our wells were going salty and without this reclaimed we would’ve had a piece of property that basically would’ve been worthless,” said Calcagno.

This issue has seen relief since the start of the project.

Crops like artichokes, cauliflower, strawberries, broccoli, lettuce, and celery are now grown with the help of recycled water in many parts of Salinas Valley.

Twenty years later, those who have worked to make the effort a success, celebrate.

Looking forward, the Castroville Seawater Intrusion Project says they plans to continue to think of new ways to supply recycled water to farmland.