The California State Lands Commission has approved California American Water’s application to lease state lands for the Monterey Peninsula Desalination Project. The approval allows the company to construct four new subsurface slant wells and convert one existing well to supply seawater to the proposed desalination plant.
The desalination facility forms part of the broader Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project. The program also includes aquifer storage and recovery and the expansion of the Pure Water Monterey recycled water project. Together, the projects aim to improve water reliability, strengthen drought resilience, and diversify water supplies across the Monterey Peninsula.
California American Water plans to use subsurface slant wells instead of conventional open-ocean intakes. The wells will draw naturally filtered seawater or brackish groundwater from beneath the seabed. The company selected this approach to reduce impacts on marine life and improve source water quality before treatment.
The State Lands Commission completed a three-year review before approving the lease. The review included environmental justice outreach, community engagement, and consultation with Tribal representatives. The project will continue through the remaining permitting process before construction can begin.