Study Finds Ocean Not Tainting Wells : COUNTYWIDE

Salty ocean water is not contaminating underground water supplies in Ventura County as much as was previously feared, according to the initial finding from a four-year study.

Leaky wells and geological fault lines are responsible for some of the poor quality water, rather than all of it coming from the ocean, a water expert said Wednesday.

“It’s welcome news,” said Jim Gross, ground-water resources manager for the United Water Conservation District. “Some of this we may be able to deal with in a concrete fashion.”

The district and the United States Geological Survey jointly began the study two years ago to determine how much seawater was creeping into the underground water aquifers.

The district manages water from Lake Piru and the new Freeman Diversion Dam at Saticoy. Gross said the intrusion of salt water makes ground water unfit for drinking or agriculture.

During the first two years of the study, a hydrologist with the USGS analyzed data collected from wells. The findings, although preliminary, are welcome because it may be possible to cap the leaky wells and move pumping operations away from fault zones, Gross said.