Groundwater Recharge Testing At Mid-County Locations

From Santa Cruz County: The County of Santa Cruz and the Soquel Creek Water District will be conducting groundwater recharge testing at two sites to investigate potential stormwater capture projects.

On May 22nd–23rd and between May 28th and 31st, the County and Water District will conduct soil sampling at two potential project locations; Seascape Golf Course and a detention basin at 38th Avenue and Brommer Street. Between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., periodic drilling will occur in both locations to help investigate the potential use of drywells to capture stormwater runoff and filter it into the aquifer. At Seascape, site investigations will occur adjacent to the 1st and 14th fairways, but will not impact play.

During winter storms, water runs off urban areas and into creeks and storm drains, before eventually flowing into the ocean. When this happens, the water doesn’t reach the groundwater below which is a primary source of drinking water for thousands of people in Live Oak, Capitola, Soquel, Aptos and La Selva Beach. A project to capture stormwater and redirect it back into the ground may provide multiple benefits including aquifer recharge, reduced flooding, and better water quality in our natural environment.

Soil samples will be analyzed to determine suitability of drywell locations. These gravity-fed wells infiltrate stormwater at least 10 feet below the surface into a layer of sand or gravel. Drywells help clean water before infiltration, do not require energy to operate, and have a small physical footprint.

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