Left to right: District 2 Supervisor Bruce Gibson, Los Osos Basin Management Committee Dan Heimel, Confluence Engineering Solutions Jamie Girouard, Los Osos CSD Ron Munds, Golden State Water Matt Cook
Public Works Converts Three Los Osos Community Sites to Recycled Water for Irrigation
Author: Public Works
Date: 10/16/2025 10:13 AM
The County of San Luis Obispo Public Works Department completed three projects that utilize recycled, rather than potable, water for irrigation at two San Luis Obispo Coast Unified School District (SLOCUSD) schools and the Los Osos Community Park.
The County of San Luis Obispo Public Works Department completed three projects that utilize recycled, rather than potable, water for irrigation at Los Osos community sites. Staff celebrated completing the conversion projects with a ribbon cutting on October 14, 2025 at the Red Barn in Los Osos.
Corissa Burnett, one of the project managers, said the conversion of two San Luis Obispo Coast Unified School District (SLOCUSD) schools and the Los Osos Community Park to recycled water had been in the works for a long time and were a top priority when the County secured the appropriate grant funding.
“We are grateful to have reached final agreements with the school district and water purveyors, in order to be able to meet the construction timelines of the grant money and deliver these important projects for the community,” Burnett said.
Los Osos Community Park: In early June, Los Osos Community Park converted to recycled water irrigation. The park was previously irrigated using an on-site well. The $166,000 project was funded using an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant and benefits the Los Osos Groundwater Basin.
Monarch Grove Elementary School: On June 23, 2025, the County coordinated with SLOCUSD and Golden State Water Company to convert irrigation of Monarch Grove Elementary School’s sports fields to recycled, rather than potable water. This $410,000 project was also funded with ARPA grant money and took approximately 45 days to complete.
Hartzell General Engineering Contractor from Cayucos was the contractor for both the Los Osos Community Park and Monarch Grove Elementary School projects.
Los Osos Middle School: The project started in June 2025 and with a tight construction timeline for completion during the school’s break. The contractor team, SLOCUSD, Los Osos Community Services District, and the County worked together to deliver this project on time. Los Osos Middle School is the school with the largest water usage and this site was the highest priority for conversion.
More photos and video clips available to media upon request.
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