Monterey County Goes To Court Over Desalinization Ordinance - Central Coast News KION/KCBA

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif- The Monterey County Board of Supervisors are in litigation with California American Water over a county desalinization ordinance.

The controversy is over a county code that regulatshealth standards, financial capabilities, redundancy and ownership of desalinization facilities, said county officials. "The Board of Supervisors believes public health and safety is served well by this ordinance because it requires desalination operators to meet stringent health standards as well as assuring operators have the technical, managerial and financial capacity to maintain a high quality operation," says Dave Potter, Chair of the Board of Supervisors.

According to county officials, California American Water Company and the California Public Utility Commission say that ordinance does not apply to CalAm. 

"In order to resolve this dispute promptly, the Board has authorized and directed me to initiate litigation against California American Water for a court determination on the applicability of Ordinance 10.72," says County Counsel Charles McKee.