Scientists to Discuss Initial Results of Santa Barbara Groundwater Quality Study
Public invited to meeting June 21 in Santa Barbara, CA
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - U.S. Geological Survey scientists will present their initial results of a study of untreated groundwater from 24 wells sampled from January to February 2011 in Santa Barbara County, CA. The meeting, conducted by the State Water Resources Control Board and the USGS, is set for Thursday, June 21, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the City of Santa Barbara 3rd Floor Water Resources Conference Room, 619 Garden Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
The study was part of the State of California’s Groundwater Ambient Monitoring and Assessment (GAMA) Program Priority Basin Project. A program of the State Water Resources Control Board, GAMA has sought to improve comprehensive statewide groundwater monitoring and to increase the availability of groundwater-quality information to the public. The USGS is the lead for GAMA’s Priority Basin Project, which monitors and assesses water quality in groundwater basins that are important sources of public water supply. With the voluntary cooperation of local water agencies and well owners, USGS is testing untreated groundwater in over 2,000 wells in California from 2004 through 2012.
The Santa Barbara study unit includes the Goleta, Foothill, Santa Barbara, Montecito, and Carpinteria groundwater subbasins defined by the California Department of Water Resources. While scientists have not completed their full report, they will discuss some of their initial findings at the meeting. Their completed data report is expected to be available in late 2012.
The GAMA Priority Basin Project is designed to characterize raw water quality in groundwater basins and aquifers. GAMA does not evaluate the quality of water delivered to consumers, since public water systems typically treat (or mix) it to meet drinking water standards.
Click here to download a meeting announcement that includes a map of the study area and directions to the meeting.
Links and contacts within this release are valid at the time of publication.
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