News and Announcements

Santa Margarita Water System Vandalized

Monday morning, November 7, 2022, the San Luis Obispo County Service Area 23 – Santa Margarita water system operator discovered a break-in at the Santa Margarita water storage facility.

The storage facility fence was vandalized and the lock accessing one of the water storage tanks was cut providing access to the drinking water supply. Because it is unknown whether perpetrators tampered with the water, as a precautionary measure, the tank was taken out of service and is being drained. It held about 100,000 gallons at the time of the incident.

There is a second water tank at the site, so water service to Santa Margarita residents will not be disrupted.

The State Water Resources Control Board, San Luis Obispo County Health Department, and the Sheriff’s Department were notified of the incident. The County of San Luis Obispo Public Works Department is asking residents of Santa Margarita to contact the Sheriff’s Department at 805-781-4550 if they have any information regarding this incident.

What should I do?

No action is necessary. The water is being tested and drained from the tank. The tank will be placed back into service as soon as deemed safe. If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact the County Sheriff’s Department at 805-781-4550.

For more information call:

County of San Luis Obispo contact: Kyle James, 805-781-5239

State Water Resources Control Board: 805-566-1326

Local County Health Department: 805-781-5553

“California is experiencing climate shifts that bring more extreme weather, resulting in a massive swing of our driest three years on record moving into some of the wettest weeks in recent history.” – www.saveourwater.com

Last April the County of San Luis Obispo Public Works Department issued a water “ALERT” status requesting residents voluntarily conserve water. The “ALERT” status was issued because last winter Santa Margarita received only 22 inches of rain, which equates to a little more than half our normal rainfall. So far this season, we have already received over 47 inches of rain, and groundwater levels are up. As you may have already noticed, we have removed the water “ALERT” status that was posted on signs along El Camino Real.

Although a water “ALERT” Status is not currently in effect, the shallow basin below Santa Margarita is the only water source for the community and customers should continue to use water wisely.

Helping to protect your water supply now will help to avoid the need for mandatory measures in future years with less water. Visit Public Works Water Conservation for ways you can help save our water.

Thank you for your cooperation in reducing Santa Margarita’s water usage.

San Luis Obispo County Public Works

Rate Increase Information

A rate increase for the water customers in Santa Margarita (CSA 23) was passed on August 13, 2019. New rates go into effect September 13, 2019 - see ordinance with new rates & fees.  

If you have any questions please contact Jennifer Cavazos via phone 805-781-1595 or email [email protected]

Boundary Map

• CSA-23 Boundary Map

Pay My Water Bill

Water Service Rates & Ordinances

• CSA-23 2019 Rate Increase FAQs
• CSA-23 2019 Rate Increase Information
• Combined CSA23 Ordinance, Rules & Regulations
• Policy for discontinuation of Residential Water Service: English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, Vietnamese

CSA 23 (Santa Margarita) Advisory Group

When: 1st Thursday of each month at 7:00PM
Where: Santa Margarita Community Hall on the Corner of I Street and Murphy Street

Documents

• Santa Margarita Water System Master Plan 2003
• Todd Engineers Technical Memorandum on Groundwater Resources

Water Conservation and Drought Response

Current Water Status: Alert

End of Month Conditions: February 2023

• Well No. 4 depth to water: 5.17 feet
• 3-Year Average Annual Rainfall at Booster Station: 93 inches
• Realtime Rainfall Data: Santa Margarita Rainfall Data

Current well depths and well production levels are also posted on El Camino Real near Maria Ave.

Water Conservation Resources

Please click here for water conservation tips and other resources.

Water Supply Status

The shallow basin below Santa Margarita is the only water source for the community, and the County has developed a program to help protect the water supply and avoid the need for mandatory measures. The levels of response described below are required to protect the supply and minimize impacts to the community.

The shallow basin below Santa Margarita is the only water source for the community, and the County has developed a program to help protect the water supply and avoid the need for mandatory measures. The levels of response described below are required to protect the supply and minimize impacts to the community.

• When the average rainfall and groundwater levels are at or near normal levels, the status is OK. Residents are entitled to all the water they can put to reasonable and beneficial use.

• If the groundwater drops below normal levels and the supply appears to be at risk, then the water supply status isALERT. An ALERT status requests that all residents and business owners in Santa Margarita voluntarily reduce their water usage.

• If the groundwater drops significantly below normal levels and the supply appears to be at risk, then the water supply status is CRITICAL. During a CRITICAL status, mandatory conservation measures would be implemented.