Background

California American Water (Cal-Am) is the primary purveyor of water for the Monterey Peninsula. The majority of the water used by Cal-Am comes from either the Carmel River or the Seaside Basin. In 1995, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) ruled that Cal-Am did not have valid permits for the majority of the water it was pumping from the Carmel River and limited the amount of water that could be pumped (Order 95-10). In October, 2009 the SWRCB issued a Cease and Desist Order requiring that Cal-Am cease its unauthorized diversions by December 31, 2016.

With the unresolved issues related to finding a regional water solution, it is important that the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea be proactive in determining how to prepare for a restricted water supply in the future. On November 1, 2011, the City Council approved a Water Conservation Work Plan to assist with reducing water use in the City. Below is a link to Carmel’s Water Conservation Plan as well as an update presented to the Council on September 11, 2012.

Water Conservation Plan (Nov 2011)
Water Conservation Plan Update (Sep 2012)

For more information on Carmel-by-the-Sea Private Stormwater Systems, click here.