Santa Cruz Water Woes Highlighted In New Sustainability Plan

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — The Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Basin is an essential source of water for the region, but it's in trouble and the public is invited to weigh in about the problem.

There's been overpumping of the Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Basin since the mid 1980s, according to officials, who say the overpumping peaked in 2003 but has since subsided. In 2014, water extraction from the basin finally got to a sustainable level, but the years of overpumping have caused a water deficit and a problem of seawater intrusion into the basin, according to the Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Agency. Soquel Creek Water District has detected increased levels of salt in several wells along the coast.

Working with community members and experts, the Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Agency announced a draft "Sustainability Plan" last week that aims to restore the basin to sustainability by 2040.

The current draft Sustainability Plan will open for public comment on July 18 at the Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Agency board meeting. Members of the public will have 60 days to review the plan and provide written comments. The plan will be available at www.midcountygroundwater.org along with a survey for stakeholders.

The Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Agency will also host a series of community events regarding the draft plan, including two open houses in July, a community Q&A in August, and a public hearing in September so that residents can learn more about the plan and its impacts on the future of local water supplies. Click for more information on dates and locations.