Water From the Salinas River for Peninsula - Central Coast News KION/KCBA

Water From the Salinas River for Peninsula Use is a Possibility

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Dear Jon –  Water woes? You bet! Jarrod wrote to me and asks, "Dear Jon, Can the Monterey peninsula get water from the Salinas River? Seems like most of it runs to the bay, would it be cheaper than a desalination plant?"There's been an effort to help the peninsula get drinking water, Salinas Valley entities are looking at treating waste water as a source for the peninsula. But there's another possible solution.

I went to the general manager at the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District Dave Stoldt and he tells me that yes, the Salinas River could be used for the peninsula! That's good news, but it would take a lot of work.

It would take seeking to divert water from water rights already spoken for. Stoldt tells me that historical Salinas River outflow has been on average 242,000 acre-feet per year...1 acre foot equals 326,000 gallons. This is primarily in the winter months.

He says peninsula jurisdictions can't just apply to the State Water Board for water rights because most of the water has already been allocated or applied for.  Most likely the Monterey peninsula would need to seek water under an existing permit.

One example, Stoldt says is the County Water Resources Agency.  That water right is for 135,000 acre feet per year, of which the agency currently uses very little. Interestingly, he says the purpose of water uses under that county permit are municipal or irrigation and the points of diversion are two locations, near Soledad and the seasonal dam near Highway 1. Presently, the municipal use is restricted to an area that does not include the Monterey peninsula. So the agency would have to petition to change the diversion point and change the location to use the water.    

So taking water from the Salinas River could be done. As to being cheaper than a desalination plant, Stoldt says yes! Their analysis shows it could be half to two-thirds the cost of a desalination plant! 

Now...getting all the players on board is the challenge.

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