A STATE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION JUDGE HAS RULED THAT CALIFORNIA AMERICAN WATER COMPANY’S GOAL FOR THEIR WATER SUPPLY PROJECT NEEDS TO CHANGE. CAL-AM’S PROJECT NOW NEEDS TO CHANGE FROM “SECURING REPLACEMENT WATER” (AFTER THE STATE ORDERED CUTBACK IN PUMPING FROM THE CARMEL RIVER GOES INTO EFFECT) TO “SECURING AN ADEQUATE, RELIABLE, AND COST EFFECTIVE WATER SUPPLY THAT MEETS CAL-AM’S LEGAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MONTEREY DISTRICT”. MANY BELIEVE THE ONLY WAY FOR CAL-AM TO DO THAT WOULD BE FOR CAL-AM TO FIND A NEW WATER SUPPLY (CAPABLE OF MEETING THEIR FUTURE-PROJECTED DEMAND). KEY HEARINGS ON CAL-AM’S PROPOSED MONTEREY PENINSULA WATER SUPPLY PROJECT BEGAN IN SAN FRANCISCO TODAY (WEDNESDAY). THE C.P.U.C. JUDGE ALSO SCHEDULED A WORKSHOP FOR EARLY JUNE, TO ADDRESS KEY ISSUES OF THE PROPOSED GROUNDWATER REPLENISHMENT PROJECT. THE PROJECT INCLUDES PLANS TO BUILD A DE-SAL PLANT (NORTH OF MARINA) THAT CAN PRODUCE MILLIONS OF GALLONS OF POTABLE WATER EVERY DAY.
