Purpose and Need

A 1995 Order from the California State Water Resources Control Board mandates a replacement source for most of the water supply in the Carmel River watershed. Recently, the State Water Resources Control Board issued a Cease and Desist Order, which sets a schedule for reductions in diversions from the Carmel Valley alluvial aquifer. According to the order, California American Water (CAW), the Monterey Peninsula’s water provider, must cut back its water withdrawals from 10,730 acre feet per year in 2009 to 3,376 acre feet in 2016, a 70 percent reduction by 2016.

The Regional Desalination Project is also intended to reduce CAW’s reliance on water from the Seaside Basin, which is currently CAW’s other principal source of supply for the Monterey District. The Monterey County Superior Court recently issued a final decision for the adjudication of water rights of the various parties who produce groundwater from the Seaside Basin.   The decision resulted in an ultimate reduction in available groundwater sourced from the Seaside Groundwater Basin by approximately 50 percent.  The establishment of adjudicated water rights of all the users of the Basin is intended to avoid long-term damage to the Basin, including potential seawater intrusion, subsidence, and other adverse impacts of over-pumping. Prior to the adjudication, CAW pumped approximately 4,000 AFY from the Seaside Basin. Following the adjudication, CAW expects its Seaside Basin allocation to be reduced to 1,474 AFY.

Natural and governmental limits on extracting water from current sources require a regional water supply program to meet state requirements; protect the environment and watersheds from degradation; and ensure there is enough water to meet community needs. The Regional Desalination Project is a sustainable, environmentally sound, reasonably implemented and economically feasible solution that has achieved widespread public support.

The Regional Desalination Project will allow the Monterey Peninsula community to comply with State-required reductions in fresh water supplies drawn from the Carmel River. Likewise, it will help to ensure only the allotted amount of groundwater from the Seaside Groundwater Basin is drawn.  In addition the Regional Desalination Project will provide a sustainable supply for the approved redevelopment of the former Fort Ord area within MCWD’s Ord Community Service Area.

The Regional Desalination Project is being implemented through a Water Purchase Agreement, a 3-way partnership of the Marina Coast Water District (MCWD), the Monterey County Water Resources Agency (MCWRA), and CAW.  The benefits and objectives of the Regional Desalination Project are:

• Reduce existing diversions from the Carmel River natural watercourse and withdrawals from the Seaside Groundwater Basin/aquifers;
• Reclaim seawater-intruded (brackish) water in the 180-Foot Aquifer of the Pressure Zone of the Salinas Valley Groundwater Basin, an impaired aquifer;
• Improve and maintain the hydrologic balance of the Salinas Groundwater Basin;
• Protect listed species in the riparian and aquatic habitat below San Clemente Dam;
• Protect the local economy from the effects of an uncertain water supply;
• Satisfy MCWRA's obligation to protect agricultural water users' utilization of water resources;
• Minimize water rate increases by creating a more sustainable and diversified water supply portfolio;
• Implement a conjunctive-use project consistent with regional integrated resource management principles that will improve the Carmel River watershed and multiple groundwater basins;
• Implement a project that promotes and applies a watershed perspective through a regional planning effort and collaborative partnership amongst the entities; and
• Maximize funding opportunities through regional cooperation