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Rural well study finds expected patterns of salinity and nitrates; one TCP detection identified
Summary
An initial groundwater‑quality investigation covering the Forebay and adjacent areas found nitrate concentrations higher in several locations, mineral patterns consistent with historical expectations, and a single TCP detection likely tied to an abandoned landfill; report to be finalized and provided to committees for review.
A water‑quality investigation covering the Forebay and nearby parts of the Salinas Valley identified spatial variations in nitrate and mineral concentrations consistent with historical patterns and reported one detection of 1,2,3‑trichloropropane (TCP) likely associated with an abandoned landfill.
The report, prepared by consulting staff, inventories rural drinking‑water wells and available laboratory results and recommends monitoring and response options. "Generally speaking, water quality is what we would expect," said Curtis Weeks summarizing the investigation for the committee, and the available data show elevated nitrates in several areas and higher mineral content toward the east and upper valley.
The report noted a localized ring of higher nitrate concentrations around the city of Greenfield and identified a single TCP hit that staff said was likely related to an abandoned landfill. The study recommends continued monitoring and described point‑of‑use treatment as a likely affordable interim option for some locations.
Staff said the report has been viewed by the advisory committee, is slated for conditional approval by the Basin board and will then be circulated to the 4 Bay implementation committee for final review and comment. The investigation is an initial, basin‑wide ‘first cut’ meant to identify areas where more focused sampling or management action is warranted.
Committee members and staff also discussed monitoring capacity: staff reported monitoring‑well deployments under grant programs (four wells installed under the 184100 grant and ten installed in an earlier grant round), with technical specifications being prepared for a further ten monitoring wells. Staff said the monitoring program will continue to be expanded and transducer deployment is pending for some newly drilled wells.
No regulatory action was taken at the meeting; the report will be finalized through the Basin GSA board process and returned to implementation committees for comment.
