Water Resources and Water Quality

  1. Water is a highly valued resource in Mono County. Rivers, streams, lakes, and aquifers supply water for domestic, agricultural and recreational uses, support abundant wildlife and fisheries, and are an important aesthetic component of the local landscape. As an example, Crowley Lake serves as a reservoir for the city of Los Angeles, provides habitat for fish and wildlife, and provides a variety of recreational opportunities. Water resources in Mono County have been heavily impacted over the years by the export of large volumes of water for use outside the county, a practice that has been detrimental to local water users and the natural environment within the county. The potential for future export, particularly of groundwater, is a continuing concern.
  2. Water for future development is a concern. Communities are served by a variety of public and private entities such as public utility districts, community service districts, mutual water companies, small private systems and individual wells. . Existing water rights are in some cases inadequate for future expansion and additional surface water is becoming impossible to obtain due to concerns about in-stream and water-dependent resources. Inadequate and insufficient data about many groundwater resources hinders projections on meeting future demand from those sources. The California Statewide Groundwater Elevation Monitoring program (CASGEM), initiated in 2009 has begun generating valuable groundwater data. Potential off-site impacts on natural resources as a result of groundwater extraction are also a concern. In addition, wells for existing development are running dry in some areas; pumping new and deeper wells is expensive. The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act of 2014 provides a framework for the future monitoring and management of groundwater resources statewide.
  3. The availability of water for future development is also affected by new requirements concerning water quality. Existing community water systems that do not meet the standards set by the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board will have to update their systems. The cost of doing so may inhibit the ability of those systems to provide additional water for future development.
  4. Four communities have community sewer systems – Bridgeport, Lee Vining, June Lake, and Hilton Creek. Other areas are served by septic systems. Septic disposal requirements imposed by the Lahontan RWQCB affect the development potential in some areas. In areas that do not currently have sewer systems, the Lahontan RWQCB may require a sewer system deemed necessary to meet water quality objectives. The cost of installing and maintaining a system may preclude additional development in areas currently served by septic systems.
  5. The county's current good water quality may be affected by land management practices, sewage disposal, construction practices, solid waste disposal, and road maintenance techniques. There is a concern in some areas about the potential impacts of increased storm-water runoff resulting from increased development. Potential impacts include increased stream flows, siltation, erosion, loss of aquatic habitat, and impacts to roads.
  6. The sale or leasing of water for environmental restoration is an increasing concern in the northern portion of the county. Impacts to agricultural operations, wildlife habitat, and hydrologic resources and health could affect economic and landscape characteristics in the county.
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