KCBA - Monterey, Salinas, Santa Cruz - News Weather-Solution for Water Shortage in Pacific Grove
Member Center:
PACIFIC GROVE, Calif. - The City of Pacific Grove is taking a pro-active approach in the Central Coast water crisis. The city is moving forward with a plan to restore a water reservoir.
The proposed project would sit on the current operations yard for California American Water on David Avenue in Pacific Grove. The site was previously a dam that was built in the late 1800's.
The reservoir would store storm water runoff that is otherwise unused. The are also plans to pull water from underground springs throughout the city.
The project will cost about $15 million. The city has taken $45,000 from their Storm Water Fund within their General Fund. The city has also received $45,000 from the Packard Foundation.
Mayor of Pacific Grove Dan Cort says the reservoir could save serious money for the city, and claims the water could be used for the city's golf course and schools.
"We need to take mesaures now that will solve this problem," says Cort.
The project is in response to the cease and desist order from the state against Cal-Am Water. Since 1995, the State Water Resources Control Board has said the water company has been pumping too much water from the Carmel River. Since then, no other water alternatives have been established. Desalination projects are in the works.
Cal-Am is expecting a decision from the state on the cutbacks sometime in February.
As for Pacific Grove, Mayor Cort says if the funding is established, the reservoir could be complete in 2 years.
