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For the Benefit of Residents and our Environment
The Monterey Peninsula water challenge is complex. Born from a pristine and pure watershed, the Carmel River provides high quality, refreshing water. This supply is weather dependent, and subject to occasional drought.
 The River is the visible portion of the Carmel Valley Aquifer, which flows both above ground and beneath it. The water above and below ground creates a habitat where rare animals have struggled for centuries. At least two species identified by the Federal Endangered Species Act – the California Central Coast Steelhead Trout and the California Red Legged Frog – depend on the Carmel River for their survival.
For more than 70 years, the Carmel River and wells adjacent to it were the principal water source for the Monterey Peninsula. However, in 1995 to preserve and protect threatened species and improve the natural habitat around the Carmel River watershed, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) issued order 95-10.
This order calls for dramatic cutbacks in use of the Carmel Valley Aquifer -- 20 percent immediately and a 70 percent reduction as soon as possible. Monterey Peninsula residents have responded heroically, cutting water use by nearly 30 percent in the past decade. Today, Monterey Peninsula residents use about half as much water as their counterparts elsewhere in the state.
However, even the most conscientious efforts to use water wisely has its limits. The State has ordered California American Water to reduce use of the Carmel River Aquifer by another 10,730 acre feet per year – equivalent to the annual water usage of about 25,000 families.
Over the last ten years, California American Water has delivered public education campaigns encouraging Monterey Peninsula residents to use water wisely, especially during drier months. The efforts have included newspaper, radio and television advertising and mailers promoting conservation tips. The objective is to empower residential and commercial users with the tools they need to make smart water use decisions.
California American Water’s conservation education efforts have resulted in just under a 30 percent reduction in water pumped from the Carmel River since 2001 and a stronger water conservation ethic among the majority of our customers.
California American recognizes that conservation begins with us and is constantly improving its own conservation systems. The company has made significant capital investments in new equipment and procedures to reduce water lost from tank overflows, and to locate leaks and breaks.
California American Water has proposed the Coastal Water Project (CWP) to provide long term relief to the Carmel Valley Aquifer. The CWP includes a desalination plant at Moss Landing, injection wells to store water in Seaside, and a system of pipelines, pumps, and storage facilities to integrate CWP into the existing water supply.
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