California American Water Company Current Issues

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 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 to allow 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.

Monterey Peninsula Water Management District (MPWMD) Application to Modify CDO

MPWMD Application to Modify CDO
Public comments received related to the application are available here:
Website: https://ftp.waterboards.ca.gov/
Username: Cal-AmProject
Password: AccessCal-Am

Regulatory History

Order WR 2016-0016

Application to Modify Order WR 2009-0060

On November 20, 2015, Cal-Am submitted a request to modify Order WR 2009-0060. On April 28, 2016, they filed an amended application requesting an extension of the compliance timeline until December 31, 2021, and other changes to the initial application. On July 19, 2016, the State Water Resources Control Board adopted Order WR 2016-0016 amending Order WR 2009-0060. Following adoption of Order WR 2016-0016, two petitions for reconsideration were timely filed by Water Ratepayers Association of the Monterey Peninsula (WRAMP, and aka WaterPlus) and by Public Trust Alliance. By Order WR 2016-0024 dated November 1, 2016, the State Water Board denied these petitions for reconsideration. Subsequently, on November 29, 2016, WRAMP filed a Petition for Writ of Mandate and Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief with the Superior Court of Sacramento County against Cal-Am and the State Water Board. On June 12, 2017, the Superior Court of Sacramento County dismissed WRAMP’s entire action with prejudice.

Petition for Reconsideration of Order WR 2016-0016

Comments Received after Petitions for Reconsideration of WRO 2016-0016

Comments Received:

Comments Received After June 1, 2016:

2018 Application to Modify CDO

Application to Modify Order WR 2016-0016

A joint application to modify Cease and Desist Order 2016-0016 was submitted by the Planning and Conservation League, Monterey One Water (formerly the Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control Agency), the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District, the Monterey Regional Water Authority, the Marina Coast Water District, Land Watch Monterey, the Sierra Club, Citizens for Just Water, the Public Trust Alliance and Public Water Now on May 9, 2018. The application seeks to add a parallel milestone tract, beginning in 2019, relating to the potential expansion of the Pure Water Monterey recycling project. The State Water Board has received the application, and a decision on whether to accept the application is currently pending.

The application specifically regards the milestones in condition 3.b.v. of Order WR 2016-0016, and related aspects of the proposed Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project and Pure Water Monterey expansion project.

Please limit any communications regarding the application, aside from noncontroversial procedural matters, to written comments, which will be posted at this webpage as they are received.

Order WR 2009-0060

Interpretation and Implementation of Condition 2 of Order WR 2009-0060

Past Correspondences Regarding Condition 2
When adopting Order WR 2016-0016, the State Water Board directed staff to meet with Monterey Peninsula stakeholders regarding implementation of Condition 2 of Order WR 2009-0060, and to report back. Condition 2 restricts new service connections, and any increases in water use at existing service addresses resulting from a change in zoning or use. Clarifying amendments to Condition 2 were contemplated, but not adopted, in State Water Board Order 2016-0016. The documents that follow are of past correspondences and meetings: