City Hall • Coast • Local BusinessLIVE • PERMANENT LINK
Cal Am backs guarded, temporary easing of Peninsula water-connection moratorium
California American Water says it filed testimony supporting a temporary easing of the Monterey Peninsula's state-ordered water-connection moratorium—but only with safeguards for drought supply, Carmel River restoration and new-source projects.
By MyPG.news Newsroom · Company testimony checked against the State Water Board proceeding and district application by MyPG.news · Source status: Official source
Reader responses
Loading reader-response counts.
AT A GLANCE
What matters now
Area
Pacific Grove and Monterey Peninsula • water connections, housing and business growth
Status
Official source
Published / reviewed
California American Water published Aug. 19 at 6:07 p.m. PDT; newsroom reviewed Aug. 20 at 3:52 a.m.
California American Water says it filed testimony supporting a temporary easing of the Monterey Peninsula's state-ordered water-connection moratorium—but only with safeguards for drought supply, Carmel River restoration and new-source projects.
The filing is advocacy by the water company, not a State Water Board decision.
The state says it is considering the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District's application to modify the cease-and-desist order and will take public comment November 5.
What readers need to know
California American Water says it has submitted written testimony to the State Water Resources Control Board supporting a temporary, guarded easing of the Monterey Peninsula's moratorium on new water connections. The company says any change should preserve enough supply for drought conditions, Carmel River restoration obligations and progress on new water sources.
The testimony is the company's position in a state proceeding; it does not lift the moratorium. The State Water Board says the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District applied in October 2025 to modify the cease-and-desist order that limits new connections while California American Water works to eliminate unauthorized Carmel River diversions.
The issue directly affects housing, business openings and other projects that need a new or expanded water connection in Pacific Grove and elsewhere on the Peninsula. The State Water Board has scheduled public comment for November 5, 2026. Readers can compare the company's release with the state proceeding and the district's application below.
STAY WITH THE STORY
Get the next verified Pacific Grove update.
Install MyPG.news and turn on browser alerts, or return to the live feed for the latest reporting.