Difference between revisions of "Monterey One Water"

Revision as of 12:33, 10 April 2018

Monterey One Water Logo. Image from http://montereyonewater.org/

Summary

Formerly known as the Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control Agency (MRWPCA), Monterey One Water was established in 1972 to administer water rationing in response to severe drought conditions ^[1]. MRWPCA was formed under a Joint Powers Authority agreement between the City of Monterey, the City of Pacific Grove and the Seaside County Sanitation District as a peninsula-wide effort to resolve area’s water issues. ^[2] MRWPCA operates the Regional Treatment Plant, the Salinas River Diversion Facility, the Castroville Seawater Intrusion Project, sewage collection pipelines, and 25 wastewater pump stations ^[2]

Monterey One Water Service Area. Image from http://montereyonewater.org/

Formation

Monterey One Water^[3], was established as a joint effort between the Monterey, Pacific Grove, and Seaside Sanitation districts. They joined together to provide the water treatment standards set in place by the Federal Clean Water Act. Before the establishment of Monterey One Water, each individual community was responsible for the management of their own wastewater, which was often discharged discharge directly into the bay.^[4]

Groundwater Supply

In addition to meeting the water quality standards outlined in the Clean Water Act, Monterey One Water was responsible addressing the region deteriorating groundwater supply. By the mid-1970s, excessive groundwater pumping for agricultural purposes resulted in an overdraft of the underlying aquifer, exacerbating the effects of saltwater intrusion. The continued encroachment of saltwater (Salinas Valley Seawater Intrusion) into the Salinas Valley Groundwater Basin began to pose a serious threat to the regions multi-billion dollar agricultural industry, as well as limiting the drinking water supply for the City of Salinas. Community leaders began discussing possible solutions to address the growing concerns of saltwater intrusion, eventually deciding on the use of recycled wastewater to supplement crop irrigation, reducing the need to deplete groundwater reserves. After an extensive 11-year study the Monterey Wastewater Reclamation Study for Agriculture final report was released on April 3rd, 1987. ^[5] This document outline the feasibility of using reclaimed water for agricultural irrigation and address concerns about potential heath impacts associated with consuming crops grown with recycled water.^[4]

Wastewater Treatment

In 1983, Monterey One Water was ready to implement its plan of an unified sanitation district. This process included the construction of a wastewater conveyance system that utilized neighboring treatment plant stations to distribute wastewater to one centralized facility.^[6] These treatment plants were decommissioned in February, 1990, after the new 29.6 Million Gallon per Day (MGD) Regional Treatment Plant began operation.

Current Responsibilities

As of 2018, Monterey One Water is responsible for operating and maintaining 25 pump stations, 35 pressure-vacuum stations, and approximately 750 miles of pipeline and the Regional Treatment Plant treats and distributes 18.5 MGD for agricultural and domestic use. ^[6]

Projects and Facilities

Monterey One Water is a key stakeholder in the region's major water infrastructure projects such as:

• Pure Water Monterey:
  • Jointly developed by Monterey Peninsula Water Management District and Monterey One Water.
• Castroville Seawater Intrusion Project
  • Monterey One water provides pumped recycled water for the farmers to safely irrigate their crops in an effort to reduce seawater intrusion. ^[7]
• Salinas River Diversion Facility
• Regional Treatment Plant

Public Engagement

Monterey One Water routinely holds board and committee meetings^[8], which are open to the public.

References

1. ↑ Monterey One Water, 2017. Recycling Water. http://montereyonewater.org/facilities_tertiary_treatment.html
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} Deep Water Desal, 2017. Joint Powers Authority About. https://www.deepwaterdesal.com/joint-powers-authority.htm
3. ↑ Monterey One Water Homepage
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} Monterey One Water, 2017. About: History. http://montereyonewater.org/about_history.html
5. ↑ Monterey One Water, 1987.Monterey Wastewater Reclamation Study for Agriculture. http://montereyonewater.org/docs/about/mwrsa.pdf
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1} Monterey One Water, 2017. Wastewater Conveyance. http://montereyonewater.org/facilities_conveyance.html
7. ↑ County of Monterey, 2018.Monterey County Water Recycling Project (CSIP/SVRP). http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/government/government-links/water-resources-agency/projects-facilities/castroville-seawater-intrusion-project-salinas-valley-reclamation-project-csip-#wra
8. ↑ Monterey One Water, 2017. Board and Committee Meetings http://montereyonewater.org/about_meetings.php

Links

• Monterey One Water Homepage
• Monterey Peninsula Groundwater Replenishment Project
• Salinas Valley Seawater Intrusion
• Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS)

Disclaimer

This page may contain students' work completed as part of assigned coursework. It may not be accurate. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion or policy of CSUMB, its staff, or students.