For Immediate Release

Contact:

Barbara Buikema – General Manager

Carmel Area Wastewater District

831.625.1248/buikema@cawd.org

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CAWD RESPONDS TO SEWAGE SPILL NEAR CARMEL BEACH

 District Personnel on Scene Within 10 Minutes

Carmel, Calif., October 24, 2025—At approximately 3:32 pm on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, the Carmel Area Wastewater District (CAWD) received a call to our district offices regarding a sewage spill at Scenic Point. CAWD personnel responded and were on scene within minutes.

The spill occurred from damage to the sewer main from a previous communications utility installation and lasted less than 10 minutes. The spill was not due to the recent sewer replacement project.

The system, which utilizes a pump to move collected sewage, stopped pumping and CAWD crews shut off power to the unit to ensure no additional pumping occurred. The Collections Team quickly contained and recovered 800 gallons of the approximately 850-gallon spill. Unfortunately, an estimated 40-50 gallons reached the rocky tidepool area, initiating CAWD’s required notifications to CAL-OES and the Monterey Health Department.

While cleanup occurred, the CAWD Collections Team rerouted flows maintaining service to its customers. A point repair was made to the damaged sewer pipe on Thursday, October 23 and active service returned to that section of the system.

“While even a one-gallon spill is unfortunate, I would like to commend our staff for its rapid response to contain what could have been a major incident,” said CAWD President Ken White. ‘I would also like to express CAWD’s gratitude to the member of the public who took the initiative to call our offices and alert us to the spill.”

CAWD performed a rigorous series of water quality tests with results expected back by tomorrow afternoon. As a public safety precaution, the Monterey County Health Department closed Carmel Beach. The beach will reopen immediately following confirmation of normal water quality results.

“Our staff will continue to monitor the source of the spill and coordinate with county health officials and the City of Carmel on the outcome of our testing,” commented Barbara Buikema, CAWD General Manager. This incident highlights the importance of open and transparent communication with our neighboring agencies as well as with other utility companies that are performing repairs or upgrades adjacent to our sewer infrastructure.”

For more information and updates on this incident visit www.cawd.org

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The Carmel Area Wastewater District is a special district dedicated to the protection of the public health and the environment through the cost-effective collection and treatment of wastewater and the return of clean water to the environment.