Salinas, CA -- A $10 million state grant will help boost and protect this region's water supply.
The grant, announced Dec. 1 by the State Water Resources Control Board, has been awarded to the Pure Water Monterey program, an innovative partnership between the City of Salinas and the Monterey County Water Pollution Control Agency (MRWPCA).
Pure Water Monterey has three goals: provide a sustainable source of water supply through advanced water purification and groundwater injection, provide additional recycled water for agricultural irrigation, and mitigate seawater intrusion. The expected results are greater regional self-reliance through the recharging of groundwater for use in drought conditions, and reduced water quality impacts on the Salinas River and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
The grant money will be targeted towards the design and construction of storm water capture projects. It's available as part of the Water Quality, and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014 (Proposition 1) approved by California voters in the general election on November 4, 2014.
"We've made great efforts to work collaboratively with a number of parties to ensure that we make the best possible use of our available resources," said Salinas Mayor Joe Gunter. "This grant shows that when people work together, great things can be accomplished."
"This grant enhances the success of the Pure Water Project plus helps meet several of the City's storm water goals and objectives," said Gloria De La Rosa, Salinas City Councilmember for the City of Salinas and Board Chair of the MRWPCA. "It really shows what can happen when people cooperate."
Mike McCullough, MRWPCAGovernment Affairs Administrator
831-645-4618 or
MikeM@mrwpca.com.
