Jan. 17, 2012
For Immediate Release
Catherine Bowie
Office: 831-646-3208
Mobile: 831-241-2990
Email:
catherine.bowie@amwater.com California American Water Withdraws Support for Regional Desalination Project Alliance Alternative water project will be pursued
PACIFIC GROVE, Calif. (January 17, 2012) - California
American Water announced today that it has withdrawn its
support of the three-party agreements behind the Regional
Desalination Project that the company had proposed with
Marina Coast Water District and the Monterey County Water
Resources Agency in response to State imposed limitations on
the Monterey Peninsula's water supply.
"Desalination will be part of the Monterey Peninsula's future
water supply, but the Regional Desalination Project will not
be the vehicle to deliver it," said California American Water
president Rob MacLean. "Recognizing the severity of the
state's cutback order, we must now move forward on an
alternative water supply project as quickly as possible."
Marina Coast Water District, Monterey County Water Resources
Agency and California American Water have been engaged in
mediation since August 2011 and have been unable to reach
agreement on how to address multiple challenges facing the
Regional Desalination Project.
California American Water and the County have agreed to
continue discussions over resolving remaining project issues
and finding a water supply solution, and stated that they
encourage Marina Coast Water District to participate in these
talks.
"Everyone is committed to finding a water supply solution for
the Monterey Peninsula," said Monterey County Supervisor Dave
Potter. "With mediation ending and the Environmental Impact
Report stalled, we have an opportunity to more broadly engage
the public and fix the Peninsula's water problem."
On January 24, the California Public Utilities Commission
will hold a pre-hearing conference in
San Francisco concerning California American Water's request
to continue work toward the
PRESS RELEASE www.californiaamwater.com
California American Water Withdraws Support for Regional Desalination Project Alliance
design and construction of a pipeline and water storage
facilities, which were part of the
Regional Desalination Project approved by the Commission and
will be required for any of the
11 contemplated water projects. The company prepared a study
of water supply alternatives capable of meeting the area's
water shortage late last year. The study identified 11
physical solutions, all of which require additional
transmission and storage infrastructure. According to
MacLean, obtaining Commission approval to proceed is
necessary to ensure progress on a water supply project while
the company determines its next steps.
"While we've elected to withdraw our support of the current
Regional Desalination Project arrangement, we appreciate
Marina Coast Water District and the Monterey County Water
Resources Agency stepping up to the plate to be part of the
water supply solution the Monterey Peninsula community so
desperately needs," said MacLean. "A lot of valuable work has
been accomplished that will still be applicable to a
desalination project that needs to be developed."
MacLean added that any new water project will require permits
or approvals from the California
Public Utilities Commission, California Coastal Commission
and the County of Monterey.
The Cease and Desist Order issued by the State Water
Resources Control Board in 2009 set a schedule for pumping
reductions on the Carmel River, which will cut the area's
water supply by more than half in 2017 unless a new water
project is developed. At less than sixty gallons per resident
per day, California American Water customers on the Monterey
Peninsula already have among the lowest per capita water
consumption in the state.
###
California American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of
American Water (NYSE: AWK), provides high-quality and
reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately
600,000 people.
Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest publicly
traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With
headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs more than
7,000 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water,
wastewater and other related services to approximately 15
million people in more than 30 states, as well as parts of
Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.
PRESS RELEASE www. californiaamwater.com
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