November 7, 2014 Los Osos, California-
Los Osos water purveyors urge conservation of critical water supply
Los Osos, CA – A newly released study has documented a significant increase in the rate of seawater intrusion in the Los Osos Groundwater Basin, worsening an already critical water supply situation. The new study was prepared for a technical working group comprised of representatives from the three water purveyors in Los Osos and San Luis Obispo County. The Los Osos water purveyors are urging residents to continue efforts to conserve water in an effort to improve the situation.
The study, conducted by Cleath Harris Geologists in July and August of this year, details the seawater intrusion rate within several of the basin’s aquifers, with the most notable change in a zone that serves as a principal water supply for the community (see Figure 1).
In the critical water supply aquifer known as Zone D, intrusion increased from an average rate of 60 feet per year from 1985 to 2005, to a current rate of approximately 200-250 feet per year. Geologists expect the front could reach an important water supply well known as the Palisades well (see Figure 2) within the next five years if the basin situation does not improve.
The study underlines the three purveyor’s ongoing efforts to implore water users to cut back, as increased seawater intrusion is directly related to declining fresh water levels in the basin. Although groundwater pumping has declined since 2009, that progress is offset by the ongoing drought and lack of freshwater recharge to the basin, and additional conservation is critical.
The Los Osos Community Services District recently launched a new public awareness campaign to encourage increased conservation, called “Together We Can Bear It: Save Los Osos Water.” The campaign points residents to LosOsosCSD.org, where they can learn more about free water conservation tools, as well as landscaping tips and conservation rebates available to them. In September, the Los Osos CSD Board of Directors implemented the Water Shortage Contingency Plan Phase II, which places restrictions on outdoor water usage for residents and construction.
On November 13, the board will receive the official seawater intrusion report and will discuss the need to expedite both conservation and other physical solutions listed in the basin plan.
To see the plan summary, visit http://www.losososcsd.org/cm/Home.html
