Todd Engineers: Paso Robles

Groundwater Management Planning
City of Paso Robles
San Luis Obispo County, California

The City of Paso Robles relies solely for its municipal supply on local groundwater resources, including the substantial storage of the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin and the underflow associated with the upper Salinas River. These groundwater resources are shared with two other communities, Atascadero and Templeton, and numerous agricultural and domestic users.

Key Issues
Groundwater is the sole water supply for the City Increasing demand and competition for water resources

Concern exists over the reliability and sustainability of local groundwater resources to provide for current and future demands. Water demands also are increasing in the Paso Robles area, reflecting both municipal growth and expansion of high-value crops, notably wine grapes. The City, County and other local stakeholders are working together to better manage water resources in the Paso Robles Groundwater basin.

Services Provided
Comprehensive ongoing support for groundwater issues Technical oversight of County-initiated Basin Study Expert testimony regarding impacts of reservoir expansion on groundwater Preparation of Urban Water Management Plan Preparation of Groundwater Basin Annual Report

Todd Engineers supports the City of Paso Robles on a wide variety of groundwater quality- and supply-related issues. We provided technical oversight and review of a Groundwater Basin Study sponsored by the County of San Luis Obispo. We also assisted the City in evaluating potential impacts on local groundwater resources of plans by the City of San Luis Obispo to export additional yield from Salinas Dam. Additionally, Todd Engineers supported the City in developing its first and second Urban Water Management Plans. Todd Engineers' work for the city also includes provision of support services on an as-needed basis for hydrogeologic, groundwater management and water rights issues. This includes service as the City's representative to the WRAC's Ground Water Banking Sub-Committee.

Review of Basin Study

The County of San Luis Obispo sponsored a comprehensive study of the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin. On behalf of the City, Todd Engineers provided technical guidance for the study. The first phase documented the hydrogeology, water levels, water quality and the water balance. A second phase of the study involved development and application of a computer model of the groundwater basin.

Urban Water Management Plan

Todd Engineers prepared 2000 and 2005 Urban Water Management Plans for the City of Paso Robles. The plans describe the City's current and projected water demands and provide a comparison of water demands to available water supplies.

The water shortage contingency portion of the plans consider the impact on the City's water supply of drought and catastrophic water supply interruption, and present guidelines for the City's response. The plans also describe fourteen water demand management measures for water conservation (such as water waste prohibitions, plumbing retrofits, and public information) in terms of the City's current implementation along with recommendations for continuation, enhancement, or future implementation.

Paso Robles Groundwater Basin Annual Report

Todd Engineers was retained by the City of Paso Robles and County of San Luis Obispo to prepare an Annual Report on the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin. The specific purpose of the Annual Report is to present data from ongoing monitoring and to evaluate groundwater conditions, including levels and quality. The Annual Report is based on recognition among the City, County and local stakeholders that monitoring and appropriate management of Basin water resources can delay and avoid overdraft of the Basin even with increasing groundwater use. Regular reporting also is recognized as the best means of keeping all stakeholders aware of the state of the groundwater basin.