Learning Center to Open at SCWD Office

Displays and Interactive Tools Highlight Community Water Plan

The Soquel Creek Water District will soon be opening the doors and welcoming the public into its brand new Community Water Plan Learning Center. It’s an informative place where people can engage with interesting, fun, and educational displays illustrating the challenges to our endangered groundwater supply, and outlining the actions, tools, and programs contained in the District’s Community Water Plan.

The Community Water Plan Learning Center is located in the District’s main office, 5180 Soquel Drive, Soquel. The District will be hosting a Grand Opening ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, March 20 and will officially open to the public on March 21.

Community members are invited to drop in Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. — 2 p.m. for the self-guided experience, or contact the District to schedule a guided tour for school groups, neighborhood groups, service clubs, or other small groups. To schedule a tour, contact Vaidehi Campbell at VaidehiC@soquelcreekwater.org or 831-475-8501 x142.

The Learning Center is designed to be self-guided, and takes visitors on a journey to explore “Our Path to a Reliable Water Supply.” Visitors will gain a deeper understanding of the groundwater basin (our sole source of water) that is threatened by seawater contamination and climate change, and learn how the District gathers data to better manage the groundwater basin.

“We’re proud to be able to bring the Learning Center to our community. It provides information about our Community Water Plan and new water supply options being evaluated,” said Dr. Bruce Daniels, President of the Soquel Creek Water District Board of Directors. “Protection of our water supply affects every member of our community and the Learning Center is a great at getting people informed and involved with solutions.”

Visitors may walk around the Learning Center to view and interact with displays about the importance of sustaining our water supply, the science behind our understanding of the groundwater basin, and the role of water conservation. Other display panels talk about water supply options such as desalination, storm water capture, river water transfers, and Pure Water Soquel — using purified recycled water to recharge the groundwater basin.

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The center was partially funded through a grant by the US Bureau of Reclamation.