Blogs

By Melanie Mow Schumacher, Soquel Creek Water District

On California’s central coast, Soquel Creek Water District faced a daunting reality. The over-drafted groundwater basin, the community’s sole source of drinking water, was being contaminated by seawater, threatening the long-term sustainability of the region’s water supply. As a small special district with limited resources but a deep commitment to providing a reliable water supply while protecting public health and the environment, the district was determined to act decisively. Rather than shrink from the magnitude of the problem, they leaned into it, seeking an innovative, community-focused solution to ensure water security for generations to come.

From Setback to Vision: Reframing the Future

After efforts to develop a joint regional desalination project had fallen short in 2013, the district embarked on a 13-month public planning process to explore alternative supply options. This process led to developing the Community Water Plan, a strategy grounded in sustainability, community input, and scientific rigor. The plan identified purified recycled water for groundwater replenishment as the most viable and effective solution. By 2015, they initiated feasibility studies and technical evaluations to assess the potential of turning treated wastewater into a source of purified water that could be safely returned to the aquifer—this concept became Pure Water Soquel (PWS).

Engaging the Community: Education on Wheels

One of the most distinctive and successful components of the district’s approach was its commitment to community outreach. Without a permanent demonstration facility, the district launched a mobile education trailer. This traveling interactive exhibit brought the science and safety of water reuse directly to neighborhoods, schools, and events. 

This mobile unit became crucial in educating the public, dispelling misconceptions, and building trust. In fact, the trailer garnered national recognition for its effectiveness in public engagement. Tasting purified water is crucial to foster community acceptance. So, a component of the mobile unit was to hand out bottled purified water (donated by the Orange County Water District, which has been doing a similar project since the 1960s). 

A Symbol of Transformation: The Butterfly

As PWS gained momentum, they wanted a logo that would reflect the transformational nature of the project. The result was a butterfly logo, symbolizing metamorphosis—wastewater transformed into purified water and a community transformed from vulnerability to resilience. The butterfly represents the project’s spirit: bold, hopeful, and rooted in positive change. It also resonated strongly with the community, reinforcing that great transformation is possible with vision and perseverance. The butterfly logo lives on not just as a symbol, but as a legacy: a small district’s bold transformation toward a sustainable future.

Turning Vision into Reality

With increasing public understanding and support, the district moved forward with detailed planning, environmental review, regulatory coordination, and design. The process included working closely with state and federal agencies and engaging in rigorous scientific and technical validation. 

By 2018, the project had received environmental approval, and in 2020, the project was breaking ground for the recharge wells. In spring 2021, construction began on the pipeline system that would carry the source water to the purification facility and send purified water to the recharge wells. In winter 2021, the advanced water purification facility broke ground.

A New Source, A New Future

Pure Water Soquel purifies wastewater from the City of Santa Cruz through a multi-barrier treatment process, including microfiltration, reverse osmosis, and ultraviolet light with advanced oxidation, and uses it to replenish the over drafted groundwater basin.

The result is a sustainable, drought-resilient water supply that protects the basin, secures the community’s drinking water, and represents a new chapter in integrated water management for California.

Funding a Regional Milestone

A key factor in the project’s success was the district’s ability to secure significant outside funding, particularly for a small agency. Through strategic planning and dedicated effort, the district was awarded over $95 million in grants and more than $138 million in low-interest loans from agencies such as the California State Water Resources Control Board, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, and the EPA’s WIFIA program.

This remarkable funding success enabled the district to move forward with construction and implementation while minimizing the financial burden on local ratepayers—a testament to the district’s strategic leadership and collaborative spirit.

A Model for Other Communities

Pure Water Soquel demonstrates what is possible when small agencies dream big and follow through with creative outreach, cutting-edge innovation, and a level of collaboration beyond their small size. The district has addressed a local environmental crisis and created a replicable model for other communities facing similar challenges. 

Today, the district continues to share lessons learned and mentors other agencies pursuing potable reuse, ensuring that the ripple effects of this transformational project continue to grow far beyond the Santa Cruz Mid-County Basin