An agreement that would turn on the taps for recycled water for Monterey Peninsula residents hit a speed bump Monday when water officials balked at a clause that would require the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District to support any California American Water Co. project, including desalination, should the recycled water fail to meet a promised amount.

For Cal Am to purchase water from Monterey One Water’s Pure Water Monterey Expansion project, a water purchase agreement, or WPA, would need to be signed by Cal Am, Monterey One Water and the water district.

The purchase agreement would provide for enough water, officials say, to allow Cal Am to meet a legal obligation to stop the over-pumping of the Carmel River aquifer by the end of this year.

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