Title
Consider recommending that the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Supervisors:
a. Authorize the Monterey County Water Resources Agency General Manager to begin negotiations related to use of New Source Waters for the Castroville Seawater Intrusion Project pursuant to Section 16.16 of the Amended and Restated Water Recycling Agreement with Monterey One Water; and
b. Authorize the General Manager to negotiate a new agreement with the City of Salinas and Monterey One Water for use of Industrial Wastewater Utilizing Pond 3 in response to current drought conditions.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Directors recommend that the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Supervisors:
a. Authorize the Monterey County Water Resources Agency General Manager to begin negotiations related to use of New Source Waters for the Castroville Seawater Intrusion Project pursuant to Section 16.16 of the Amended and Restated Water Recycling Agreement with Monterey One Water; and
b. Authorize the General Manager to negotiate a new agreement with the City of Salinas and Monterey One Water for use of Industrial Wastewater Utilizing Pond 3 in response to current drought conditions.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Castroville Seawater Intrusion Project (CSIP) is part of a conjunctive use system that delivers a combination of recycled water, Salinas River water, and groundwater to farmers to reduce groundwater extraction within seawater intruded areas of the 180/400-Foot Aquifer Subbasin. When Salinas River water is not available to divert, an increase of groundwater pumping is observed in the project area. Per the United States Drought Monitor, Monterey County is experiencing severe to moderate drought conditions. This is demonstrated by third consecutive year of limited winter inflow to the Monterey County Water Resources Agency's (MCWRA) reservoirs, Nacimiento and San Antonio (Reservoirs), with curre...
Click here for full text