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UCSC growth could strain Santa Cruz’s water supply, report says

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on November 20, 2009 at 6:44 am

aerial-view-of-ucsc-and-santa-cruzFrom the Santa Cruz Sentinel:

“The planned UC Santa Cruz campus expansion could mean stricter water conservation rules for city residents during drought years, something planners called a “significant but unavoidable impact” in an environmental report released Thursday.

“That’s a fair statement. In future years, there is an inadequate water supply” during times of drought, agreed Bill Kocher, head of Santa Cruz Water Department.

While that fact has long been documented, Thursday’s report labeled it as a serious concern that could equate to less water and more restrictions for department customers during dry years should the campus grow as planned from 15,000 to 19,500 students by 2020.

While Santa Cruz has plans for a desalination plant to tap during drought years, the report said, that plant is a long way off, if it’s even built.

The findings were part of the draft environmental impact report released Thursday by Santa Cruz planners. The environmental study is required as the city and university move forward with their agreed-upon plans for UCSC growth. Those plans require Santa Cruz to provide the campus with water. … “

Read more from the Santa Cruz Sentinel by clicking here.

November 20, 2009 · Filed Under Central Coast

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