CPUC Approves Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project by Cal Am
Cal Am jumps a big hurdle to start construction on a controversial water project.
Late Thursday the California Utilities Commission approved Cal Am’s Monterey Water Supply Project.
It all began when Cal Am was ordered to stop pumping from the Carmel River.
The water supply project was the alternative the utility company came up with but, despite today’s approval, it’s one many aren’t in favor of.
“To now have reached this milestone, to have won this approval and know that we are that much closer to construction really is an event to be celebrated,” said Catherine Stedman, a Cal Am spokesperson.
But many are anything but happy about the Public Utilities Commission’s approval.
The project will largely pump water from Marina, something the city’s coast water district says can cause harm.
The Marina Coast Water District issued a statement saying in part:
“The desalination plant would draw groundwater from the Marina’s basin, and based on the data, the intake water is not seawater. It’s a source of drinking water for our residents. We know this because MCWD invested in state-of-the-art science to essentially take an MRI of groundwater supply and quality. This critical research, conducted by Stanford University, was submitted to the CPUC to illustrate the impact of this project on our water supply. That research was ignored.”
A local non-profit water group is also slamming the decision.
“It shows their total disregard for ratepayers, they didn’t even look at the options,” Melodie Chrislock with Public Water Now said.
Cal Am says the Public Utilities Commission’s decision speaks for itself.
“The public utilities commission took over six years to examine this project and to examine every feasible alternative to this project,” Stedman said, “In the end what they found is that only the Water Supply Project will solve the water supply issues on the Monterey Peninsula.”
Although Cal Am says today’s approval is a big step, they still have more work ahead of them before construction can start next year.
The California Coastal Commission and the City of Marina both need to give their blessing before the project goes forward.
