News Flash

Water Wisdom

Posted on: June 1, 2021

Pure Water Soquel Milestone – Seawater Intrusion Prevention Wells Nearing Completion! - June 2021

The Soquel Creek Water District’s Pure Water Soquel project has three primary elements: water treatment facilities; conveyance pipelines; and seawater intrusion prevention (SWIP) wells. I’m thrilled to share with you that one of those three key components – a set of three SWIP wells – is nearing completion of the well drilling!

The construction of these wells is an important milestone for this project, putting us one major step closer to providing a new, drought-proof, supplemental source of water for the community.

These wells go to a depth of around 500–800 feet and will be used to pump purified water into the groundwater basin. This will help replenish the underground aquifers, raise the water level to create a barrier to seawater contamination, and supplement this source of drinking water.

Part of the work on these wells included drilling activity 24 hours a day, seven days a week for two to four weeks at a time. We are so grateful to the residents near these wells for their patience as the work was underway! The next steps of these SWIP wells will occur in 2022 with installing the well equipment, site improvements, fencing, and landscaping.

Construction of the pipelines is commencing this spring that will transport water to and from the Santa Cruz Wastewater Treatment Facility and the Water Purification Center (to be built at Chanticleer Ave and Soquel Ave), and then carry that ultra-clean water to the SWIP wells for replenishment into the groundwater basin.

Be sure to visit soquelcreekwater.org/PWSconstruction for information about ongoing and upcoming construction for Pure Water Soquel, including maps and schedules, and to sign up for email construction updates. Visit www.soquelcreekwater.org/PWS for background and details about the Pure Water Soquel project.

Drill rig and drill bit.

Monterey SWIP well drill rig and drill bit. 


These glass beads are the packing material that goes around the well casing.

These glass beads are the packing material that goes around the well casing. They allow water to flow out into the aquifer. (Monterey SWIP well)


Welding of the  screen well casings at the Willowbrook SWIP well

Welding of the screen well casings at the Willowbrook SWIP well.


Screen well casings.

Screen well casings at Willowbrook SWIP well.

Facebook Twitter Email

Other News in Water Wisdom

CARE: A vision for 2023 - January 2023

Posted on: January 1, 2023

Water Success in 2018 - December 2018

Posted on: November 27, 2018

It’s AND not OR - November 2017

Posted on: October 26, 2017

H20: Humans vs. Earth - October 2017

Posted on: October 1, 2017

True or False? - February 2017

Posted on: January 30, 2017