How is the Monterey Peninsula community conserving water?
2004-05 Water Year Report

The potential for conservation
Through improvements in efficiency coupled with alternative water sources including desalination and reuse, public and private water utilities can meet California’s fast-growing water needs while protecting – even improving -- the environment.

Experts estimate that throughout California water consumption could be reduced:

• By 33 percent through existing conservation technologies like replacing high flow toilets, clothes washers and dishwashers with high-efficiency models indoors and by implementing improved irrigation and landscape management techniques outdoors;
• An additional seven percent by reducing leaks and enhanced metering systems.

The least expensive and most environmentally friendly water source is conservation: reducing water lost through inefficient or unwise use.  Experience on the Monterey Peninsula demonstrates the willingness and ability of consumers to reduce consumption when they understand the urgency and are empowered with information.

Monterey Peninsula’s water consumption has dropped from 17,913 Acre Feet (AF) in 1987 (considered a base year with non-drought conditions) to 12,922 AF in 2003, a total reduction of 27.8 percent. During this same period, Monterey Peninsula connections increased by 18 percent.

 

The power of information
The following conservation measures have been crucial in efforts to conserve on the Peninsula:

• Conservation retrofits of plumbing fixtures have been required on re-sale and remodeling of homes since 1987. Data from Monterey Peninsula Water Management District reports that 14,665 ultra low-flush toilets were installed under this program between 1996 and 2002.
• Another 7,622 residential toilets have been replaced (as of Spring 2003) under another program offering rebates for voluntary retrofitting.
• Between 1987 and 2000 all visitor-serving commercial facilities retrofitted their facilities with water conserving plumbing fixtures. This includes all hotels and motels on the Monterey Peninsula.
• Over 43,000 water-conserving devices have been distributed free to consumers since 1978. These include low flow showerheads, hose nozzles and toilet leak detection kits. Between 1987 and 1988, 26,975 households were interviewed about their conservation practices and given complimentary water saving devices. A subsequent survey found that 93.2% of them had installed the devices.
• Since 1997, all commercial facilities have been required to retrofit to low flow devices. In the commercial sector, water usage decreased by 659 AF between 1987 and 2002 while the number of connections increased by 11.4%.
• A program to supply golf courses with reclaimed wastewater was developed and implemented over the past 10 years. The average savings since 1995 have been 664 AFY.

In addition, California American Water has developed public education materials encouraging Monterey Peninsula residents to use water wisely, especially during drier months.

Community response to conservation messaging has been positive, resulting in a nearly 30 percent reduction in water pumped from the Carmel River since 2001 and a stronger water conservation ethic among the majority of our customers.

Communication efforts are year-round and have included radio and television advertising, newspaper advertising in both English and Spanish, direct mail, transit and cinema advertising. The objective is to empower residential and commercial users to make smart water use decisions and to reinforce the message that we can all do our part to save water, save money, and protect and preserve the Carmel River.

The Coastal Division of California American Water, in conjunction with the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District -- and with active cooperation of American Water customers -- has one of the most extensive water conservation programs in California.

Conservation begins with us
California American Water takes seriously its commitment to improving its own water conservation measures. Over the last several years, California American Water capital improvements have included:

• Analyzed system pressure at dozens of locations to locate leaks and breaks;
• Replaced three large sections of water main in Carmel Valley, sections that historically have produced a high level of leaks;
• Installed new equipment to reduce water lost from tank overflows/spills; and,
• Tested and replaced internal system water meters to ensure they are registering properly and not falsely reporting “lost” water.

The 2004-05 Water Year began with an irregular pattern of alternately exceeding and meeting monthly water usage targets. (See table below.) By late spring, it became apparent that continued usage would likely exceed annual limits under Order 95-10.

Comparing Monterey Peninsula’s per capita water use per day to other California systems in 2003 shows that sustained conservation efforts result in sustained success.  

• A mandate that California American Water find a permanent replacement water supply for 10,730 AFY historically drawn from the Carmel Valley Aquifer;
• An immediate 20 percent reduction in water usage pending a permanent replacement supply. Failure to meet SWRCB limits could result in steep fines to Peninsula water users.

As a further constraining factor, the Carmel River is home to the Central Coast California Steelhead Trout and the California Red Legged Frog, both listed as threatened under the Federal Endangered Species Act. NOAA Fisheries maintains that California American Water’s usage of the Carmel River is adversely affecting the habitat for these species, and the company is under a continuing threat of fines by NOAA Fisheries for “take” of these species.

To meet Federal mandates, California American Water undertakes extraordinary mitigation. The company has ceased all surface diversion at San Clemente during the low flow season, and draws first from wells lower on the River. These activities force the Company to pump water uphill through a system engineered based mostly on gravity flow.  This results in higher energy costs to operate pumps, higher maintenance costs, and higher capital costs to replace overburdened facilities.

Seaside Basin
About 4,000 AFY is also drawn from groundwater wells in the Seaside Basin. Recent hydrologic studies conducted by MPWMD and California American Water demonstrate that Total withdrawals by California American Water and other water utilities exceed the safe yield of the Seaside Basin, thereby making it unlikely that California American Water can continue to withdraw 4,000 AFY.