Glossary

acre-foot

A way to measure large volumes of water, usually in reference to the amount of water in a reservoir or river, or flowing through a large system such as a water treatment facility. It is the amount of water that would cover an area of one acre (60 ft x 660 ft) to a depth of one foot. If you were to build a trough 66 feet long and 660 feet wide, with a height of one foot, it would hold a little under 325,852 gallons. The average U.S. household uses approximately one acre-foot of water per year (~893 gallons per day). 

aquifer

A natural underground layer, often of sand or gravel, that contains water. 

ASR - Aquifer Storage and Recovery

The third prong of the overall Water Supply Project, Aquifer Storage and Recovery would divert excess water from the Carmel River during periods of high flow using existing Cal-Am wells and store it for later use during dry periods.

brackish water

Mix of fresh and salt water. This term is used to describe the seawater that is taken in to a desalination plant.

Cal-Am

California American Water. A division of American Water (Amwater), Cal-Am treats and delivers water to customers on the Monterey Peninsula. Cal-Am is regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). 

CEQA

California Environmental Quality Act.

coastal zone

In California, the coastal zone is defined by a map drawn by the Legislature as part of the California Coastal Act and includes most of the California coastline, except San Francisco Bay, which is regulated by a different agency (Bay Conservation and Development Commission). The onshore width of the zone varies from a few hundred feet to several miles inland in rural areas; offshore, the coastal zone includes a three-mile wide band of ocean. Any development (such as new buildings, change of land use, etc.) must obtain a permit from the coastal commission.

contaminant

Anything found in water (including microorganisms, minerals, etc.) that may be harmful to human health.

CPUC

California Public Utilities Commission. See Public Utility Commission.  

desalinization, desalination

Process that removes salt from seawater, turning it into drinking water.

DRA

Division of Ratepayer Advocates. See ORA.

environmental impact report (EIR)

A provision of CEQA requires that an environment impact report must be prepared for any project that might have an significant effect on the environment. The lead agency for the project is responsible for determining if an EIR is required, generally when there is either substantial evidence that the project might have an impact, or if there is serious public controversy about the potential impact of a project. This includes the potential to degrade the environment, put a fish or wildlife population at risk, eliminate important examples of the major periods of California history or prehistory, and/or result in environmental effects that will cause substantial adverse effects on human beings, either directly or indirectly. The process for making the determination, preparing, and certifying the report is all spelled out in CEQA. See http://www.dfg.ca.gov/habcon/ceqa/intrnlproced/eir.html for more information.

finished water

Water that has been treated and is ready to deliver to customers.

ground water

The water that systems pump and treat from aquifers (natural reservoirs below the earth's surface. 

GWP - Groundwater Replenishment Project

A joint project of the MRWPC, MPWMD, and Cal-Am, its purpose is to replenish the Seaside Aquifer with recycled water. Wastewater from sources such as storm drain water from member cities, Salinas commercial facility pond water (produce wash water), and reclamation ditch water will be purified and pumped back into the aquifer where it will once again become groundwater. The GWP is one piece of the overall Water Supply Project.

Measure O

The ballot initiative, slated for the June 3, 2014 election, regarding a public takeover of Cal-Am operations. Also known as the "public water initiative".

MPWMD - Monterey Peninsula Water Management District

Public water agency mandated by state statute to provide integrated management of all water resources for the Monterey Peninsula. The district manages the production of water from two sources: surface water from the Carmel River and ground water pumped from municipal and private wells in Carmel Valley and the Seaside Coastal Area.

MPWRS - Monterey Peninsula Water Resource System

All water within the District is produced from sources within the District. These sources include surface water from the Carmel River and groundwater from the Carmel Valley Alluvial Aquifer and Seaside Groundwater Basin. Collectively, these sources are referred to as the Monterey Peninsula Water Resource system (MPWRS).

MPWSP - Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project

Cal-Am's proposed plan to build a desalinization facility and additional storage capacity to alleviate the region's water supply issues. Cal-Am has created a website for the project. 

Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control Agency

Provides wastewater treatment services for the area. (They run the sewage treatment plant.) MRWPCA was formed in 1972, replacing the individual sewage treatment facilities run by various municipalities, and consolidating wastewater treatment into one agency.

ORA - Office of Ratepayer Advocates

Mandated by California statute, the Office of Ratepayer Advocates is an independent consumer advocate within the California Public Utilities commission (CPUC) that advocates solely on behalf of investor-owned utility ratepayers. The ORA represents energy, water, and telecommunications ratepayers at CPUC proceedings, during legislative and budget processed, and at other forums regarding public utilities. 

outfall

A term used in the wastewater treatment industry to refer to the water that is discharged from the sewage treatment plant. The MRWPCA outfall is recycled or discharged two miles out into the bay. 

overdraft

Overdraft occurs when the amount of water pumped from a groundwater basin/aquifer exceeds the amount replenishing the basin or when the amount of water pumped degrades the water quality in the basin (such as seawater intrusion).

photic zone

The upper layer of a body of water that is shallow enough for sunlight to penetrate. Below the photic zone, photosynthesis cannot occur because of insufficient sunlight.

Public Utility Commission (PUC)

State commission or other entity engaged economic regulation of public utilities.

ratepayers

Customers of a public utility, such as the water company or power company. Ratepayers pay regular charges for the use of a public utility's service. 

RDP - Regional Desalinization Project

Cal-Am's first desalinization project proposal, it was approved by the CPUC in 2010 but fell apart when a water board official was accused of felony conflict of interest and was withdrawn in January 2012.  See the "RDP R.I.P." tab. 

recycled water

Wastewater that has been treated and disinfected so that it meets the California Department of Health guidelines for irrigation of crops that are consumed without cooking. It is currently used for farmland irrigation and also by golf courses, school yards, and recreational areas. For more information, see the MRWPCA recycling project brochure.

RTP

Regional Treatment Plant. In this context, used to refer to MRWPCA wastewater treatment facility.

seawater intrusion

Occurs when the volume of water pumped from an aquifer exceeds the amount that is replenished naturally.

slant wells

A method of drilling that does not follow a straight-down, vertical path. Slant drilling can be used to access areas that are difficult to reach with a vertical well. Slant wells for the proposed desalinization plant will draw water from under the sea floor and reach beyond the high tide line to minimize the impact on marine life. 

subsurface intakes

Another term for slant wells. 

sunset clause

A provision in a law, regulation, or ordinance that renders all or part of the law void once certain circumstances are met. For example, a ruling allowing a surcharge on water rates might have a sunset clause requiring that the surcharge end once a new dam is paid for.

surface water

Water that systems pump and treat from sources open to the atmosphere, such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.

SWRCB - State Water Resources Control Board

California has a system of state and regional water boards that regulate water quality, water supply, and wastewater discharge issues. The state board sets statewide policy and coordinates and supports the efforts of regional boards. The state water board is also responsible for implementing the federal Clean Water Act and allocating surface water rights. The regional boards are semi-autonomous and responsible for water quality issues within their regions, including setting standards, issuing permits, determining compliance with regulations, and enforcement. Actions of the regional boards can be contested with the state board. More information can be found here. 

Water Supply Charge

An MPWMD fee added to property tax bills to pay for the Groundwater Replenishment Project and Aquifer Storage and Recovers (and other water supply development activities). The fee is based on meter size and type and size of property (e.g. small single-family home < 1200 sq ft, large home over 4000 sq ft, multi-family residence, office building, restaurant, etc.) Meter size is literally the size of your water meter, which is determined by the number of water fixture units on your property. See the "Water Rates" tab for more information.

watershed

The land area from which water drains into a stream, river, or reservoir.