Updating Chapter 10.72 of the Monterey County Code, Desalinization Treatment Facilities

 6/22/22

On 6/22/24, the Board of Supervisor adopted an ordinance amending Chapter 10.72 of the Monterey County Code to remove the prohibition on private ownership or operation of a desalinization facility.

Board Agenda information (6/22/22):
https://monterey.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=5698955&GUID=071F9FB3-E6F9-434A-A39F-9E3096C6B1CC&Options=&Search=

Board Report:
https://monterey.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=10993479&GUID=00F7DDE5-D10E-4D00-A8AB-B00949B056A6

Ordinance Amendment:
https://monterey.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=10993466&GUID=B4A5EE2D-C46C-461C-B02C-8EA0D6FE4054

The Environmental Health Bureau (EHB) is responsible for assuring that any desalination treatment facility can produce safe, potable and reliable water without creating other public health risks. A county permit for construction of a desalination treatment facility is required to be obtained from the Director of Environmental Health prior to securing any building permit from the Resource Management Agency (RMA) for such a facility. Also, a permit for operation of a desalination treatment facility must also be obtained from the Director of Environmental Health before distributing any water from the desalination treatment facility. These requirements are listed in Chapter 10.72 of the Monterey County Code. On May 15, 2018, the EHB received direction from the Board initiating amendments to Chapter 10.72 of the Monterey County Code regarding the permitting and operational requirements of a desalinization treatment facility.

Additional Information

Presentation

Link to board Meeting (Starting from 2:06:02)