Central Coast Branch Meeting - Role of Groundwater in Integrated Water Resources Management

The Central Coast Branch is pleased to present:

2016 David Keith Todd Lecturer

Behrooz Mortazavi

Role of Groundwater in Integrated Water Resources Management

SPEAKER:

For over two decades, Behrooz Mortazavi was in charge of developing and implementing water resources management plans at Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD), located 60 miles southeast of Los Angeles. During his tenure, EMWD secured its groundwater water rights after an Indian Water Rights Settlement, which was enacted by Congress; initiated an Integrated Resources Plan; designed and implemented an integrated recharge and recovery program to mitigate groundwater overdraft; and maximized the use of recycled water to meet agricultural, environmental habitat, and municipal irrigation demands in its jurisdiction.

Contaminants such as perchlorate and hexavalent chromium can move almost unattenuated with groundwater in some cases creating large contamination plumes that extend for miles downgradient from source areas. In areas where a high background from natural or other anthropogenic sources is present it may be difficult to identify plume margins and determine the extent of contamination at a site. Chemical and isotopic environmental tracers can be used to identify the source and hydrologic history, including age (time since recharge), of water and contaminants within large plumes and the processes affecting contaminant concentrations. The use of these environmental tracers coupled with hydrologic data will be examined at selected sites in southern California.

topic:

Many water agencies and water resources authorities in California and around the world are interested in increasing their supply reliability during critically dry conditions. These entities continuously try to expand use of local resources in an effort to improve water supply reliability in their region. Use of potable groundwater, desalinated groundwater, and storage of surface water or recycled water in the local aquifers are some of the elements that can enhance water supply reliability.

Implementation of these elements requires existence of water rights, and existence of a viable water resources management plan. In addition, water quality variations and geo-political dynamics play an important role in the structure of these management plans.

This talk reviews political, environmental, and technical challenges for implementing an integrated resources plan. EMWD’s local resource planning will be used as a case study to demonstrate how EMWD used its available groundwater resources to implement a successful integrated resources plan in Southern California.

AGENDA:

6:00 to 6:15 PM - Registration/Networking
6:15 to 7:00 PM - Dinner, Announcements, Business Meeting
7:00 to 8:00 PM - Keynote Speaker

IMPORTANT BRANCH NEWS:

The Branch is dedicated to increasing awareness of issues related to groundwater in the Central Coast Region, as well as to providing a forum for groundwater and hydrogeology professionals to gather and discuss developments in their field. We are actively seeking suggestions for future meeting locations or other ways to improve access to our meetings across the varied landscape of the Central Coast.

SCHOLASTIC SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM:

The Central Coast Branch initiated a scholastic sponsorship program, with local sponsors supporting our annual scholarship fund for students who are engaged in groundwater studies. If your organization is interested in participating as a Scholastic Sponsor for a future event, please contact a Branch Officer. Sponsors will be recognized at our meetings and on the GRA website.

MEETINGS OF THE CENTRAL COAST GRA:

Meetings of the Central Coast Branch of the GRA will be held approximately every second month. If you would like to make a presentation at an up-coming meeting of the GRA, Central Coast Branch, please contact Tony Morgan (tonym@unitedwater.org or 805-525-4431) or Jeff Kubran (jkubran@dudek.com or 805-963-0651).

STUDENTS:

Do you have interesting project data from your research on the geology and hydrogeology of the Central Coast area? The GRA would love to hear about the results of your research projects. If you would like to present your research at a future meeting, please contact Tony Morgan or Jeff Kubran and we will get you the appropriate details.

GRA WEBSITE:

Visit the GRA at www.grac.org. The GRA website includes information on the following topics: the GRA of California (the state-wide organization); membership; the local branches and their activities; job announcements; updates on legislation affecting groundwater; and links to members and other related and notable web sites.

MEET YOUR FUTURE EMPLOYER:

There is no better way for students and recent graduates to learn about the organizations active in the groundwater resources business than to attend the Branch meetings. Representatives of the region's environmental and engineering consulting companies, drilling organizations, legal firms, and various agencies (e.g., regulatory, county, public, water conservation) attend the meetings. Who knows, you may sit next to your future employer at a meeting.

SPONSORS AND DONATIONS:

If you would like to sponsor a GRA Meeting or other event, or volunteer your time or services to any one of the many GRA-sponsored activities, please contact Dan Detmer at dand@unitedwater.org or (805) 525-4431. Presently, we are in need of sponsorship or donations for our upcoming meetings. Our sponsorship program has two levels:

  • A cash donation of $100 will earn your company a mention in our meeting announcement as well as an opportunity to distribute information regarding services or products at our meeting; or
  • For a donation of $300 or more your organization will be allotted 10 minutes to speak to the group and acquaint them with your services or products and the opportunity to distribute information.

The GRA branch welcomes any ideas for sponsorship that you may have.

Location: UCSB – Bren School, Room 1414
2400 Bren Hall
Isla Vista , CA 93117

Date: May 17, 2016, 6 p.m. - May 17, 2016, 8 p.m.