In a unanimous decision, the California Coastal Commission approved California American Water’s application to construct a test slant well for its proposed desalination project during its regular meeting yesterday, held in Half Moon Bay.

“This approval represents a tremendous step forward for the Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project,” said California American Water President Rob MacLean. “We now have the opportunity to study the feasibility of the preferred intake location and method, as selected by a broad group of stakeholders, and to confirm modeling work that supports that selection.”

The Commission heard from dozens of supporters representing environmental, business, and community-based groups. Speakers emphasized the need for progress on a water supply project for the Monterey Peninsula, given the state-imposed cutback schedule the community faces on its primary source of water, the Carmel River. Also discussed was the need to conduct research on sub-surface intakes, such as slant wells, since they are the preferred desalination intake method of state and federal regulators.

The test well project is a temporary project, permitted to collect up to two years of data. The well is designed to draw seawater through the sand, avoiding impacts to marine life. It will be constructed on an already disturbed area of the beach, which is within an active sand mine located in North Marina.

For more information on this and other news and updates about this project, please visit the project website at www.watersupplyproject.org.

California American Water, a subsidiary of American Water Works Company, Inc. (NYSE: AWK), provides high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 600,000 people.

Founded in 1886, American Water Works Company is the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs approximately 6,600 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 14 million people in more than 40 states, and parts of Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.