1. County Water Resources Programs in the Santa Margarita Basin
SMGWA Board Meeting
November 29, 2018

2. County Role within the SMGWA
The County is not a water supplier
Our role in the JPA is to represent non-municipal pumpers and environmental uses
Permitting and tracking of private wells and small water systems;
Water conservation, retrofit on resale, prohibition of water waste
Measurement of streamflow and water quality
Outreach and staff support to the well owner representatives
Oversee some streamflow and fisheries projects
Land use regulation, septic systems, and contaminated site oversight

3. Water Users

4. Water Use

5. Santa Margarita Groundwater Basin and Streamflow

6. Santa Margarita Basin Contribution to Streamflow
San Lorenzo River – 40-50% of Dry Season Flow
Groundwater Declines of up to 250 ft. have reduced flow by cfs % in Lower Bean Creek
Basin has stabilized at around 250 feet lower than historical levels
Future threat of climate change: 30% reduced recharge, increased demands

7. SLR Flow Accretion 9/18/17, 80 percentile flow

8. Effect of Drought

9. Potential Benefits to Streamflow

10. Water Quality Issues
Sandy soils very susceptible to surface and subsurface contamination
Historic contamination from dry cleaners gas stations, industrial sites
Much has been cleaned up
Can limit management options
Nitrate from septic systems and sewage discharge
Addressed by septic system management and sewer outfall
Nitrogen management required by State
Treatment of recycled water for nitrogen reduction
Water quality protection is an ongoing concern

11. Fisheries Management
Santa Cruz County's juvenile steelhead & stream habitat (JSSH) monitoring program is a partnership between the County of Santa Cruz and local water agencies.
Assesses stream habitat conditions and measures steelhead population density across four major watersheds in santa cruz county.
New award-winning website: scceh.com/steelhead.aspx to view results in interactive data explorer.

13. COUNTY Management Efforts
Water Conservation
Groundwater Recharge
Assessment of streamflow contributions and impacts of surface diversions
SLVWD/County Conjunctive Use and Streamflow Enhancement Study
Memorandum of Agreement with City of Santa Cruz. Scotts Valley Water District, San Lorenzo Valley Water District, County