Difference between revisions of "Pure Water Monterey: A Groundwater Replenishment Project"

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| ||National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit (CWA Section 402)
 
| ||National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit (CWA Section 402)
 
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|-
| California State Lands Commission  ||Right‐of‐Way Permit (Land Use Lease)(California Public Resource Code Section 1900); Lease  amendment
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| [[California State Lands Commission]] ||Right‐of‐Way Permit (Land Use Lease)(California Public Resource Code Section 1900); Lease  amendment
 
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| California Department of Fish and Wildlife  ||Incidental Take Permits (CA Endangered Species Act Title 14, Section 783.2)  
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| [[California Department of Fish and Wildlife]] ||Incidental Take Permits (CA Endangered Species Act Title 14, Section 783.2)  
 
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|-
 
| ||Streambed Alteration Agreement (California Fish and Game Code Section 1602)
 
| ||Streambed Alteration Agreement (California Fish and Game Code Section 1602)
 
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| California Coastal Commission  ||Coastal Development Permit(Public Resources Code 30000 et seq.)
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| [[California Coastal Commission]]   ||Coastal Development Permit(Public Resources Code 30000 et seq.)
 
|-
 
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| California Department of Public Health  ||Permit to Operate a Public Water System (CaliforniaHealth and Safety Code Section 116525)
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| [[California Department of Public Health]] ||Permit to Operate a Public Water System (CaliforniaHealth and Safety Code Section 116525)
 
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| || Approval for Recharge of Highly Treated Water
 
| || Approval for Recharge of Highly Treated Water
 
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| California Department of Transportation  || Encroachment Permit (Streets and Highway Code Section 660)  
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| [[California Department of Transportation]] || Encroachment Permit (Streets and Highway Code Section 660)  
 
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| California State Historic Preservation Officer  || Section 106 Consultation, National Historic Preservation Act (16 USC 470)
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| [[California State Historic Preservation Officer]] || Section 106 Consultation, National Historic Preservation Act (16 USC 470)
 
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| California State University Monterey Bay    || Right of Way Agreements and/or Easements
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| [[California State University Monterey Bay]]   || Right of Way Agreements and/or Easements
 
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| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Local Agencies '''
 
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Local Agencies '''
 
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|''''''
 
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|''''''
 
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| City of Salinas  ||Electricity Power Purchase Agreement
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| [[City of Salinas]]   ||Electricity Power Purchase Agreement
 
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| Cities of Seaside and Marina, Sand City, Salinas (potential) ||Use Permits, encroachment/easement permits, grading permits and erosion control permits may be required pursuant to local city/County codes.  
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| Cities of [[Seaside]] and [[Marina]], [[Sand City]], [[Salinas]] (potential) ||Use Permits, encroachment/easement permits, grading permits and erosion control permits may be required pursuant to local city/County codes.  
 
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| Fort Ord Reuse Authority  Coordination with ||FORA for Right of Entry
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| [[Fort Ord Reuse Authority]]   Coordination with ||FORA for Right of Entry
 
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| Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District||Authority To Construct (Local district rules, per Health and Safety Code 42300 et seq.) and Permit To Operate (Local district rules)  
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| [[Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District]]||Authority To Construct (Local district rules, per Health and Safety Code 42300 et seq.) and Permit To Operate (Local district rules)  
 
|-
 
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| Monterey County Health Department, Environmental Health Division ||Well Construction Permit (MCC, Title 15 Chapter 15.08, Water Wells)  
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| [[Monterey County Health Department]], [[Environmental Health Division]] ||Well Construction Permit (MCC, Title 15 Chapter 15.08, Water Wells)  
 
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| ||Hazardous Materials Business Plan (Health and Safety Code Chapter 6.95)  
 
| ||Hazardous Materials Business Plan (Health and Safety Code Chapter 6.95)  
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| ||Variation on Monterey County Noise Ordinance (MCC 10.60.030)  
 
| ||Variation on Monterey County Noise Ordinance (MCC 10.60.030)  
 
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| Monterey County Public Works Department || Encroachment Permit (Monterey County Code (MCC) Title 14 Chapter 14.040)  
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| [[Monterey County Public Works Department]] || Encroachment Permit (Monterey County Code (MCC) Title 14 Chapter 14.040)  
 
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| Monterey County Resource Management Agency||Use Permit (MCC Chapter 21.72 Title 21)may be required pursuant to County codes.
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| [[Monterey County Resource Management Agency]]||Use Permit (MCC Chapter 21.72 Title 21)may be required pursuant to County codes.
 
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| ||Coastal Development Permit. (Public Resources Code 30000 et seq.)  
 
| ||Coastal Development Permit. (Public Resources Code 30000 et seq.)  
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| ||Erosion Control Permit (MCC, Grading and Erosion Control Ordinance, Chapter 16.08 – 16.12)
 
| ||Erosion Control Permit (MCC, Grading and Erosion Control Ordinance, Chapter 16.08 – 16.12)
 
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| Monterey County Water Resource Agency  ||Coordination/agreements for components within MCWRA‐controlled waterways and involving Castroville Seawater Intrusion Project and Salinas Valley Reclamation Project  
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| [[Monterey County Water Resource Agency]]   ||Coordination/agreements for components within MCWRA‐controlled waterways and involving Castroville Seawater Intrusion Project and Salinas Valley Reclamation Project  
 
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| Monterey Peninsula Water Management District||Water System Expansion Permit (Monterey Peninsula Water Management District Board of Directors Ordinance 96)  
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| [[Monterey Peninsula Water Management District]]||Water System Expansion Permit (Monterey Peninsula Water Management District Board of Directors Ordinance 96)  
 
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| Monterey Reg. Waste Management District  ||Electric Power Purchase Agreement
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| [[Monterey Regional Waste Management District]]   ||Electric Power Purchase Agreement
 
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| Seaside Basin Watermaster  ||Permit for Injection/Extraction
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| [[Seaside Basin Watermaster]] ||Permit for Injection/Extraction
 
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| Transportation Agency of Monterey County  ||Easement
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| [[Transportation Agency of Monterey County]] ||Easement
 
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| Water Agencies (other)  ||Participation/purchase agreements
 
| Water Agencies (other)  ||Participation/purchase agreements
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| Landowners  ||Land lease/sale; easements and encroachment agreements  
 
| Landowners  ||Land lease/sale; easements and encroachment agreements  
 
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| California American Water Company  ||Water purchase agreement with Monterey Peninsula Water Management District
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| [[California American Water Company (CalAm)]] ||Water purchase agreement with Monterey Peninsula Water Management District
 
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| PG&E  ||Electric Power Will‐Serve Letter/Purchase Agreement
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| [[PG&E]] ||Electric Power Will‐Serve Letter/Purchase Agreement
 
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Revision as of 14:22, 8 April 2014

Groundwater Replenishment Project System and Processes. Image from May 30, 2013 NOP [1]

Summary

The Monterey Peninsula Groundwater Replenishment Project (GWR Project) proposed in 2010, is a collaboration between Monterey Peninsula Water Management District (MPWMD), Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control Agency (MRWPCA), and California American Water Company (Cal-Am) to supplement Cal-Am's water supply (see Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project) while simultaneously recharging the Seaside Groundwater Basin. The project is subject to an Environmental Impact Report in accordance with CEQA, and as of May 30, 2014 MRWPCA prepared a Notice of Preparation (NOP).

Project Objective

The project proposes recharging the Seaside Basin with Advanced Treated Wastewater through injection wells beginning in 2016. The project goal is to provide Cal-Am with a supplemental water supply source. [1] Another benefit of the Groundwater Replenishment Project is that it would also decrease the impacts of groundwater overdraft and the associated risks of seawater intrusion.[1] Cal-Am is pursuing alternative water supply due to the State Water Resources Control Board’s Cease and Desist Order to reduce diversions from the Carmel River, and to comply with the Seaside Basin Adjudication (see CalAm Use of Carmel River Groundwater Basin). [1] The GWR Project will produce 3,500 acre-feet per year (AFY) for sale to Cal-Am. Subsequently, Cal-Am will be able to reduce the capacity of its desalination plant by the same amount.

Project Location

Carmel Valley Aquifer and Seaside Groundwater Basin [2]

The GWR Project would be located in the cities of Marina and Seaside as well as some unincorporated areas of the Salinas Valley.[3] The project would replenish groundwater in the Seaside Groundwater Basin. The Seaside Groundwater Basin is located below Seaside, Sand City, Del Rey Oaks, Monterey and unincorporated areas of Monterey County, California.[3]

Project History

Since 1987 the water table has has been decreasing, with a substantial drop in 1995 when Cal-Am switched its water supply from the Carmel River to the Seaside Groundwater Basin.[3] The increase in water drawn from the Seaside Basin has led to an overdraft of water and creates a potential risk of seawater intrusion. [4] In 2006 the Seaside Basin was adjudicated by the California Superior Court to decrease the amount of water drawn from the Seaside Basin within three years, unless the appointed Watermaster board could secure more water sources. [3] To address these concerns Cal-Am and MPWMD jointly operate a Storage and Recovery (SAR) project that injects excess flow from the Carmel River into the Seaside Basin during periods of high flow.[5]


In 1995 CalAm was issued a cease and desist order (CDO) by the State Water Resources Control Board for drawing more water from the Carmel River than they were allocated.[6] In 2009 CalAm was issued another CDO for continuing to draw more water than they were allocated.[7] Under the CDO CalAm will have to reduce the amount of water is draws from the Carmel River by 70% from 2009 to 2016. [8] The Groundwater Replenishment Project is part of a portfolio of projects to address the decrease in water available from the Carmel River.

Systems

The GWR Project will artificially recharge the Seaside Groundwater Basin with advanced, treated wastewater. The treated water will be injected underground using a series of shallow and deep injection wells.[1] The goal is to have injected water mix with existing groundwater for storage until CalAm begins to use the water to supply its customers. [1]

Water Sources

The GWR would use a combination of the following water sources (list from the NOP):[1]

  • City of Salinas Treatment Plant water
  • Blanco Drain water
  • Storm water collection from the City of Salinas and other entities through the MRWPCA
  • Secondary or Tertiary effluent from the Regional Treatment Plaint
  • Reclamation Ditch water


Infrastructure

The GWR Project would require the development of the following facilities (list adapted from the NOP):[1]

  • Source Water Conveyance Facilities: diversion and collection facilities, including pipelines and pump stations to convey source water to the new treatment facilities. Water sources to the treatment facility include: City of Salinas Treatment Plant water, Blanco Drain water, storm water from City of Salinas, effluent from the Regional Treatment Plant and Reclamation Ditch water,
  • Treatment Facilities: pretreatment facilities, a new Advanced Water Treatment Plant, and associated facilities at the existing Regional Treatment Plant site to filter and treat the source water,
  • Product Water Conveyance Facilities: pipelines, pump stations, and appurtenant facilities along one of two optional alignments to convey the treated water to the Seaside Basin, and
  • Replenishment/Recharge Facilities: pipelines, deep injection and shallow (vadose zone) wells, and backflush facilities to be located at one or both of two optional locations (coastal and/or inland recharge sites) within the Seaside Basin boundaries.

Laws, policies, & regulations

GWR Project will be subject to many laws and regulations by federal, state and local agencies. The project will be subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and a number of permits will be required.

CEQA

In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) the GWR Project must prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). Under CEQA the lead agency preparing the EIR is the Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control Agency (MRWPCA). MRWPCA is currently preparing the EIR, and in May 2013 began public scoping and prepared a Notice of Preparation.

Permits Required

A number of permits will be required in the construction of the GWR Project. The following table is adapted from the GWR Project NOP and lists the regulatory agencies as well as the permits required for project construction.

Federal Agencies '
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Class V Underground Injection Control Program (Part C, Safe Drinking Water Act [SDWA])
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) Review and coordination of all RWQCB 404, Section 10, and NPDES permits
United States Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered Species Act compliance (ESA Section 7 consultation)
Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 USC 661‐667e; Act of March 10, 1934; ch. 55; 48 stat. 401)
National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Endangered Species Act compliance (ESA Section 7 consultation)
United States Army Corps of Engineers Nationwide Section 404 Permit (Clean Water Act, 33 USC 1341)
Section 10, Rivers and Harbors Act Permit (33 U.S.C. 403)
Federal Aviation Administration Form SF 7460‐1 Notice of Proposed Construction & Alteration for Airport Airspace Aeronautical
State Agencies '
California Public Utilities Commission Coordination regarding the MPWSP Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (Application No. 12‐04‐019)
State Water Resources Control Board, Regional Water Quality Control Board General Construction Activity Storm Water Permit (WQO 99‐08‐DWQ)
Water rights permit for development of new surface water diversions
Waste Discharge Requirements(Water Code 13000 et seq.)
401 Water Quality Certification (CWA Section 401)
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit (CWA Section 402)
California State Lands Commission Right‐of‐Way Permit (Land Use Lease)(California Public Resource Code Section 1900); Lease amendment
California Department of Fish and Wildlife Incidental Take Permits (CA Endangered Species Act Title 14, Section 783.2)
Streambed Alteration Agreement (California Fish and Game Code Section 1602)
California Coastal Commission Coastal Development Permit(Public Resources Code 30000 et seq.)
California Department of Public Health Permit to Operate a Public Water System (CaliforniaHealth and Safety Code Section 116525)
Approval for Recharge of Highly Treated Water
California Department of Transportation Encroachment Permit (Streets and Highway Code Section 660)
California State Historic Preservation Officer Section 106 Consultation, National Historic Preservation Act (16 USC 470)
California State University Monterey Bay Right of Way Agreements and/or Easements
Local Agencies '
City of Salinas Electricity Power Purchase Agreement
Cities of Seaside and Marina, Sand City, Salinas (potential) Use Permits, encroachment/easement permits, grading permits and erosion control permits may be required pursuant to local city/County codes.
Fort Ord Reuse Authority Coordination with FORA for Right of Entry
Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District Authority To Construct (Local district rules, per Health and Safety Code 42300 et seq.) and Permit To Operate (Local district rules)
Monterey County Health Department, Environmental Health Division Well Construction Permit (MCC, Title 15 Chapter 15.08, Water Wells)
Hazardous Materials Business Plan (Health and Safety Code Chapter 6.95)
Hazardous Materials Inventory (Health and Safety Code Chapter 6.95)
Review of Discharges/WDR modifications
Variation on Monterey County Noise Ordinance (MCC 10.60.030)
Monterey County Public Works Department Encroachment Permit (Monterey County Code (MCC) Title 14 Chapter 14.040)
Monterey County Resource Management Agency Use Permit (MCC Chapter 21.72 Title 21)may be required pursuant to County codes.
Coastal Development Permit. (Public Resources Code 30000 et seq.)
Grading Permit (M.C.C., Grading and Erosion Control Ordinance, Chapter 16.08 – 16.12)
Erosion Control Permit (MCC, Grading and Erosion Control Ordinance, Chapter 16.08 – 16.12)
Monterey County Water Resource Agency Coordination/agreements for components within MCWRA‐controlled waterways and involving Castroville Seawater Intrusion Project and Salinas Valley Reclamation Project
Monterey Peninsula Water Management District Water System Expansion Permit (Monterey Peninsula Water Management District Board of Directors Ordinance 96)
Monterey Regional Waste Management District Electric Power Purchase Agreement
Seaside Basin Watermaster Permit for Injection/Extraction
Transportation Agency of Monterey County Easement
Water Agencies (other) Participation/purchase agreements
Private Entities '
Landowners Land lease/sale; easements and encroachment agreements
California American Water Company (CalAm) Water purchase agreement with Monterey Peninsula Water Management District
PG&E Electric Power Will‐Serve Letter/Purchase Agreement

Resource/s at stake

Water

  • Quantity: The GWR project provides a secure source of water for the Monterey Peninsula, even under drought conditions.[3]
  • Seaside Basin Aquifer: The GWR Project will raise the water levels in the Seaside Basin.[3]
  • Seawater Intrusion: The GWR will decrease the risk of seawater intrusion into the Seaside Basin.[3]
  • Contamination: If injected water was not treated to specific standards there could be potential groundwater contamination issues.

Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

  • The GWR will decrease the amount of water that needs to be obtained through desalination. This will decrease the amount of energy and greenhouse gas emissions from the desalination process.[3]

Environment

  • Surface Water: The GWR will decrease the amount of water drawn from the Carmel River,[3] which provides important habitat to threatened steelhead.
  • Pollution: The GWR will decrease the amount of treated wastewater, storm water run-off, and water from the Blanco drain and Reclamation ditch and that flow into the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

Stakeholders

Links

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 GWR NOP
  2. Water Supply Project Monterey Herald May 2013
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 The benefits of recycled water recharge to an over-drafted coastal groundwater basin
  4. MPWMD Seaside Groundwater Basin ASR
  5. MPWMD Aquifer Storage and Recovery
  6. SWRCB WR 95-10
  7. SWRCB WR 2009-0060
  8. MPWMD FAQ on CDO Feb. 2011

Disclaimer

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