Is desal needed?

Just recently, Cal Am announced that they plan to present a “phased” approach in implementing their proposed desalination plant for the Monterey Peninsula. This phased approach will be included in their upcoming presentation to the California Coastal Commission (CCC) aimed at securing approval from the CCC to proceed with their desal plant.

One thing is abundantly clear, Cal Am maintains that a desal plant is a necessity. To this end, Cal Am overestimates demand and underestimates supply for water. Cal Am discounts the combined supply from Pure Water Monterey and its expansion without proof. After reviewing Cal Am's basis for future water demand, the MPWMD discovered that most of the “additional” demand noted by Cal Am had already been included in the AMBAG growth forecast prepared for the MPWMD. A classic case of “double counting.” Hence, regardless of the “phased” implementation, the ultimate capacity of the proposed desal plant being pushed by Cal Am still remains at 6,250 AFY. Deception with a capital “D.”

Before consideration of Cal Am's revised plan for their desal plant, there should be a general agreement on the true water requirements for the Monterey Peninsula and if a desal plant is even needed. Only then can a comprehensive review of any proposed desal plant be undertaken. That comprehensive review should include not only the capital cost of the facility but the technical details covering design, construction, and commissioning. Only after such a comprehensive review will the full cost, including environmental impacts, become apparent.

— Victor Thompson, Carmel