DMFPO: Articles on the Water Issue by Don Eastman

[January 2011 Update]

The California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approved the proposals for construction of a Regional Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Facility at the County Landfill North of Marina. It was a prolonged and arduous task for all. The PUC decision of December 2, 2010 was a major step in the process. However, approvals are still needed from several other agencies including the California Coastal Commission. It remains a controversial project. The problems most frequently mentioned are dramatic increases in the cost of water; and the fact that the Regional Plant will only replace the excess amounts pumped from the Carmel River (approximately 10,300 plus 2,900 acre feet per year for Seaside Basin replenishment) with no surplus water for additional water hookups. The five members of the PUC added their voices to officials who have previously said that while the plans for the Regional Facility are imperfect, it is the only project on the horizon that promises to redress, without draconian water rationing, the persistent problem of pumping too much water from the Carmel River.

Meantime, two private corporations, Calera and Desal America, doing business as Moss Landing Water, announced in late 2010 that they are preparing a proposal to build a deep seawater desalinization plant at Moss Landing capable of producing up to 10,000 acre feet per year. Projected costs for the plant would be in the $40 to $60 million range.
More…