From the State Water Resources Control Board:
On October 24, 2025, Monterey Peninsula Water Management District (District) submitted an application to modify the cease and desist order on California American Water Company (Cal-Am) (Order WR 2009-0060, as amended by Order WR 2016-0016) under Water Code section 1832. Since 1995, Cal-Am has been under order by the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) to eliminate unauthorized diversions from the Carmel River.
The District’s application proposes lifting Condition 2 of Order WR 2009-0060, which prohibits Cal-Am from diverting water from the Carmel River for new water service connections or any increased use of water at existing service addresses resulting from a change in zoning or use. The application also proposes allowing the Deputy Director for the Division of Water Rights to reinstate Condition 2 if certain water supply and demand triggers are met and to modify Cal-Am’s current reporting requirements.
The District’s application, Cal-AM’s response to the application, MPWMD’s rebuttal to Cal-AM, and other submitted comments are posted at:
Website: https://ftp.waterboards.ca.gov/
Username: Cal-AmProject
Password: AccessCal-Am
Background information on Cal-Am issues and updates on this application will be available here: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/waterrights/water_issues/projects/california_american_water_company/
While this application is pending before the State Water Board, a prohibition on ex parte communications is in effect. To ensure no direct or indirect ex parte communications take place, State Water Board staff may not discus substantive or controversial procedural issues raised by the application.
