By Keith Carls
KCOY-12 Central Coast News
Aug 12, 2013
SANTA MARIA – Turning on the tap in the kitchen, flushing the toilet or watering the lawn.
They are sights and sounds most of us take for granted in our daily lives.
There’s growing concern in northern San Luis Obispo County the taps may actually run dry.
Water levels in the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin are falling fast.
Wells are drying up, threatening everything from agriculture and ranching to commercial and residential development.
“Our situation is significantly different than Paso Robles, could it ever happen here, yes it could happen here”, says Rick Sweet, Director of Santa Maria’s Utilities Department which oversees the municipal water supply and the Santa Maria Valley Groundwater Basin.
“We closely monitor our basin, our basin would not drop 60, 70 feet without us being completely aware of it”, Sweet says, “we also have restoration through the Twitchell Reservoir Project of our groundwater basin which is substantial, we import state water for domestic supply.”
Northern San Luis Obispo County cities and towns chose not to be a part of the State Water Project when it was built decades ago.
But even imported water can also run dry.
“Next year they are talking about entering the year at a 20 percent (of capacity for the year), Sweet says of State Water Project estimated allocations, “which would be a very, very low number, one of the lowest opening numbers ever.”
“We are at a crossroads in California to see what this winter is going to do as far as water supply”, Sweet says about the coming year, “now if we have a great water supply year, then we will all think this was talk that was unneeded. but if we don’t its certainly going to be a very crucial issue in California.”
Water districts across the Central Coast stress the importance of conserving water wherever you are, at home, work or school.
Not only will it save money, but there’s no guarantee in the near future that water will be there when you need it.
Click here to see article & video.