California American Water seeks approval for Monterey Peninsula project

California American Water has submitted an application to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) seeking approval to build the Monterey Peninsula water supply project in the state.

The Monterey Peninsula project will replace California American Water’s current draw from the Carmel River in compliance with state-ordered pumping reductions.

The company proposes to develop a desalination plant in North Marina and expand its current Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) programme, conducted in cooperation with the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District.

It also intends to buy water from the groundwater replenishment project (GWR) proposed by the Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control Agency and the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District.

California American Water estimates the proposed desalination facility and related infrastructure will cost between $320m and $370m, and will be funded through a combination of State Revolving Fund loans and customer surcharge.

A desalination plant with a capacity of 5.4 million gallons per day will employ energy recovery devices to lower the plant’s power consumption and slant well technology.

California American Water has also requested the CPUC to permit the desalination facility for nine million gallons per day when the GWR is delayed and unable to deliver water in time.

CPUC approval is expected in 2014 and construction on the desalination and groundwater replenishment plants is set to commence in 2015.

Image: The Monterey Peninsula water supply project will be built to replace California American Water’s current draw from the Carmel River. Photo: Tewy.