A project for groundwater recharge capturing stormwater amid the dry months of January and February has been completed. Ventura County Public Works Agency’s Watershed Protection and United Water Conservation District have reported 17.6 AFY of captured stormwater runoff for Piru this winter season. Courtesy Ventura County Public Works Agency.

According to the state, this year is the 11th driest snowpack on record since 1950 and with the State Water Project announcing it will deliver only 20% of requested water supplies in 2020, projects like the Piru Stormwater Capture for Groundwater Recharge Project are critical to Ventura County’s important water supplies. This project will provide a sustainable source for recharge of the Piru Groundwater Basin and improve water quality in Piru Creek.

The project, which began capturing stormwater in December 2019, has treated all stormwater runoff as well as other nuisance flows from 36 urban acres located in the Piru community. During an average wet year, available runoff for capture was estimated at 17 acre-feet per year (AFY). The important water is saved from the existing storm drain system then transported to the existing United Water Conservation District (UWCD) Piru Spreading Grounds and spread for infiltration and recharge of the Piru Groundwater Basin. Debris, trash and other pollutants are removed by a pre-treatment device, a 10-ft diameter Continuous Deflective Separation (CDS) unit, before entering the spreading grounds. (see video news release) www.dropbox.com/sh/255cgn4n1bqia6e/AADpbUGXbAWzC-efs7YDDAtXa?dl=0

“The Piru Stormwater Capture for Groundwater Recharge Project has multiple benefits to the Piru community including better water quality to meet compliance with Bacteria Total Maximum Daily Load, groundwater recharge, and water supply enhancement,” explains Ewelina Mutkowska, Ventura County Public Works Agency’s Watershed Protection (VCPWA WP), Senior Stormwater Manager. “This will massively help improve the water quality of Piru Creek and add recharge to the Piru Groundwater Basin. Capture of stormwater runoff is a sustainable source for groundwater recharge, and we need to look for more similar opportunities to enhance our water supply sources countywide”.

The State has determined that Santa Clara River (SCR) downstream of Piru Creek does not meet water quality objectives for bacteria as required by the federal Clean Water Act. Wet and dry discharges from urban areas were found to be major source of bacteria pollution. This project was developed by VCPWA WP in collaboration with UWCD and funded by the State Proposition 1 Stormwater Grant Program, to capture urban runoff, improve water quality and recharge our precious groundwater.