Monterey Peninsula Groundwater Replenishment Project


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Replenishment Could Increase Water Supply Significantly

The proposed Monterey Peninsula Groundwater Replenishment Project (GWR Project) will apply advanced treatment methods to the recycled water currently being produced at the MRWPCA Regional Treatment Plant.. The resulting purified water would "percolate" (filter through) the soil naturally into the aquifer, just like rainwater. The process “recharges" (helps replenish) the aquifer while safeguarding it from seawater intrusion.

advanced water treatment Advanced treatment includes microfiltration, reverse osmosis and ultraviolet disinfection with peroxide -- all commonly used in numerous industries, such as baby food and bottled water.

Download or view (PDF) the GWR Project advanced water treatment processes diagram.

The California Department of Health Services, Monterey County Environmental Health, and the Regional Water Quality Control Board strictly monitor and regulate agricultural irrigation, landscape irrigation and groundwater replenishment. The regulations and monitoring requirements fully protect the public’s health and safety as well as the environment. In addition, a special advisory panel of experts is independently reviewing the MPGRP.

Groundwater replenishment is used in many places around the world. As an example, Orange County California has operated a groundwater replenishment project since 1971. In this case, highly treated recycled water is used to prevent seawater intrusion into its aquifer by recharging it. Orange County has now expanded its groundwater project so that it will provide 72,000 acre feet of water per year.

A Smart Choice

Recycling water allows reuse of a local, sustainable and drought-resistant resource that is too valuable to be discharged into the ocean. The GWR Project will help reduce seawater intrusion into our aquifers and conserve drinking water for residents and businesses. Using recycled water compared to other new water projects is smart because recycled water production is cost effective and energy efficient. GWR Project will also help the Monterey Peninsula relieve a portion of the adjudication mandates:

State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Order 95-10 directs California American Water to find an alternative source for water historically taken from the Carmel River.
Seaside Basin Adjudication reduces allowable pumping from the basin from 5,600 to less than 3,000 acre-feet per year by 2021.

Recycled water is truly the best new water source for the 21st century. A detailed list of the benefits of groundwater replenishment is provided in the column to the right.

How Recycled Water Is Being Used

Landscape irrigation of golf courses, parks, private yards, school grounds, highway median strips and greenbelts
Industrial processing such as for cooling towers, boiler feed water, concrete batching plants and carpet manufacturing
Agricultural irrigation of food crops and other crops
Groundwater replenishment of aquifers
Recreational impoundments such as lakes and reservoirs

Further information is available in the project information sheets and other resources available for online viewing or download on the Documents page.

replenishment has received wide community support

Groundwater Replenishment Benefits

	Groundwater replenishment water is drought-proof. In times of drought, recycled water will still be available because we will be recycling and purifying wastewater generated in our own community.
	The water used for groundwater replenishment exists locally, which gives our region more control over our water future.
	The groundwater basin is naturally connected to the ocean. Filtering water into the groundwater aquifer near the coast helps create an underground barrier to protect the fresh water from saltwater contamination.
	Groundwater replenishment will reduce wastewater discharge into the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
	Securing local water supplies now will help to ensure a less volatile resource for our future.
	Groundwater replenishment has a lower carbon footprint than many other water projects.
	Groundwater replenishment provides a more cost effective alternative than importing water supplies or other options. Additionaly, because the recycled water is lower in salts than brackish water or ocean desalination, energy costs are less.
For additional information, view or download the Benefits of Groundwater Replenishment document (PDF).