The California State Water Resources Control Board issued a $6.6 million grant for a city of San Luis Obispo project intended to clean up contaminated groundwater. Presently, the city does not use groundwater for its drinking water supply. SLO’s potable water supply comes from Whale Rock Reservoir, Santa Margarita Lake and Nacimiento Reservoir. City officials have sought to diversify the water supply in an attempt to achieve “greater drought and climate change resiliency.
” Previously, contamination from tetrachloroethylene, or PCE, served as a barrier to doing so. PCE is a toxic chemical produced by dry cleaning and industrial activities, which took place in the city decades ago. The cleanup project will consist of the city building two new groundwater supply wells that are expected to be fully operation in 2026. The wells will be equipped with water treatment systems that will remove all contaminants. City officials are working with state and local regulators to ensure the water will exceed all drinking water standards before adding it to SLO’s potable water syste