The recycled water plan was a bait and switch.
City Manager Tom Frutchey explained during the October council hearing that it was always the plan to eventually make most of the saved potable water available for city allocation to new uses. He did, however, also note the allocation process can be lengthy and most of the water would remain in the river when the plant opens. The city’s plan calls for construction to begin in the spring and be finished and operational by late next year or early 2017.
Pacific Grove activist Luke Colletti called the city’s maneuvers on the project to make water available for new projects such as the New Bella hotel proposal at the American Tin Cannery instead of offsetting illegal diversions from the river a “major deception.” He argued the city was risking its state funding. Colletti alleged that city officials had lied to the Coastal Commission, which he said believed the recycled water would go back to the river to help the environment.
