Below-Ground Mysteries

Water is necessary for life. We all drink it. In addition, it makes Santa Barbara County’s agricultural economy strong, providing over 25,000 jobs. And the quality of our water is as important as its quantity.

Water that is contaminated with toxic and cancer-causing chemicals causes illness and makes land unproductive. Our health and that of a large sector of our economy are dependent on sufficient sources of clean water.

Agencies have recently been established throughout the state to manage our water for sustainability. I happen to be on the advisory committee of one of them, the San Antonio Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency, although I do not speak for it here.