New deadline to stop illegal water diversion from Carmel River

California American Water will have more time to comply with a State Water Board order to stop the illegal diversion of water from the Carmel River.

The State Water Resources Control Board approved an extension Tuesday to a December 31, 2016 deadline to fully stop illegally diverting water from the river. The extension approved Tuesday will give Cal-Am until Dec. 31, 2021 to find alternative water sources and stop the unauthorized diversions.

The issue dates back to 1995, when the state ordered Cal-Am, which supplies water to the Monterey Peninsula, to find alternative water sources after finding it was illegally taking over 10,000 acre feet per year from the river.

In 2009, the State Water Board issued the Cease and Desist Order after finding Cal-Am was still illegally diverting 7,602 acre-feet a year. The order set a deadline of Dec. 31, 2016 for the company to comply.

Cal-Am and local water agencies have considered several ideas, including building new dams and a desalination plant, but none of the plans materialized. In May, the company requested an extension to meet the deadline.

While the company works to comply, it will be allowed to divert 8,310 acre feet of water per year from the river. If the company fails to make significant progress on desalination and recycling projects, the diversion limits will be reduced.