Region: Central Coast

Salinas Valley: A little fee to manage a lot of water

From Voices of Monterey Bay:

“Residents of the Salinas Valley will soon see their utility or water bills go up – but only a little. The new fee, which is likely to be passed by July 1, will add about $2.27 for non-agricultural residents, and $4.81 per irrigated acre for agricultural users. The fee is needed to fund the valley’s newest water agency — the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency.

If the new fee schedule passes, residents in areas managed by the new GSA can expect to likely see the fee included in their property tax bill or their water utility bill by the end of the year. … ”

Read more from Voices of Monterey Bay here:  Salinas Valley:  A little fee to manage a lot of water

Groundwater replenishment, seawater intrusion project approved by Soquel Creek Water District

From California Water News Daily:

“The Soquel Creek Water District (SCWD) Board of Directors recently certified the Final Environmental Impact Report (Final EIR) for its proposed Pure Water Soquel Groundwater Replenishment and Seawater Intrusion Prevention Project (Project).

The Dec. 18 board of directors meeting saw the unanimous approval of the Project plan following staff presentations, board discussion, and public input by more than 25 attendees. … ”

Continue reading at California Water News Daily here:  Groundwater replenishment, seawater intrusion project approved by Soquel Creek Water District

Paso Robles: Defending pumping

From New Times San Luis Obispo:

“A Santa Clara County jury served four Paso Robles-area government agencies a victory in court on Sept. 24, concluding in a unanimous ruling that those public water purveyors had established a right to pump from the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin—even in adverse conditions, like a drought.

After a month-long trial stemming from a 2013 lawsuit filed by private landowners, the jury ruled that the agencies—San Luis Obispo County, the city of Paso Robles, Templeton Community Services District (CSD), and San Miguel CSD—successfully proved that they’d established overriding rights to basin water between 1981 and 1990, when the aquifer was in a state of overdraft. … ”

Read more from New Times SLO here:  Defending pumping

Paso Robles: Creston landowners voice qualms about Paso water management

From New Times SLO:

“Agencies overlying the 780-square-mile basin are tasked with writing a 20-year groundwater sustainability plan to submit to the state by 2020, and San Luis Obispo County and water basin officials are holding forums with affected property owners in the seven basin “sub areas” to gather their thoughts on the process and what they want in future groundwater levels.

Several dozen Creston landowners attended and inundated hydrologist Derrik Williams with questions and concerns. Many expressed skepticism toward the data on the conditions of the basin, and took issue with the boundaries of the Creston sub-area, which includes the wine region of El Pomar near Templeton. … “

Read more from New Times SLO here:  Creston landowners voice qualms about Paso water management

Paso Robles: Worried about North County water? Here’s how to speak your mind on groundwater levels

From the San Luis Obispo Tribune:

“Water management agencies in North County are making big decisions about the future of the Paso Robles Basin — including setting future targets for groundwater levels.

That matters because the agencies will eventually propose restrictions to cut back demand — or projects to increase supply to meet those targets in the aim of sustainability, said Carolyn Berg with San Luis Obispo County Public Works Department.

When the rate of pumping is greater than the rate of infiltration, the water table drops and shallower wells run dry. This bureaucratic process will determine what is an acceptable level for the water table. … “

Read more from the San Luis Obispo Tribune here:  Worried about North County water? Here’s how to speak your mind on groundwater levels

Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency looking at user fee options

From the Soledad Bee:

“Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency is looking at two options to impose fees on groundwater users.

The fee options come as the next phase in the state’s goal to manage groundwater resources. The ultimate goal of the agency is to create sustainable management practices considering the next 20 to 40 years of groundwater.

The agency began with three options for a fee schedule to fund its operational costs.

The fee revenue is projected to start funding costs in July 2019. … “

Read more from the Soledad Bee here:  Groundwater agency looking at user fee options