A local agency’s decision to postpone one of Los Olivos’ regularly scheduled groundwater well tests—used to measure nitrate concentration levels—opened the floodgates to a different kind of monitoring for resident Kathryn Lohmeyer Rohrer.
“It seems problematic on several fronts,” Rohrer said during public comment at the Los Olivos Community Services District’s (CSD) Nov. 12 meeting.
During that hearing, the CSD asked General Manager Guy Savage to cancel its biannual November test, which would have marked its second of the year. Board members also directed Savage to look into reducing its tests—which each cost the CSD about $16,000— from twice a year to once a year.
“Since literally the formation of your agency, one of the main pillars of your purpose was to conduct groundwater monitoring so that you could understand the location and the nature of the problem, and also be able to measure whether the steps you’ve taken had been successful and if further measures were required,” said Rohrer, the sole public speaker during the item.
Rohrer suggested looking for a contractor with lower prices if funding the tests was an issue.
“I do agree that it’s outlandishly expensive and it might be worthwhile looking for another vendor,” she said, “or at least try to get more competitive pricing because you seem to be paying a rather astronomical amount for this testing.”
The CSD ultimately directed Savage to reach out to its groundwater well testing contractor, GSI Water Solutions, about shifting over to an annual test to gauge Los Olivos’ nitrate levels.
At the CSD’s Dec. 10 meeting, Savage returned with input from GSI as well as the California State Water Resources Control Board.
GSI maintained that the CSD should continue twice a year in order to measure nitrate levels during a dry season (summer) as well as a wet season (winter).
The state board “noted a clear preference” for the biannual model as well, Savage said.
According to the CSD’s staff report, the state board “may need to issue a directive to the district in order to ensure testing is continued.”
CSD Vice President Lisa Palmer asked Savage about the possibility of getting financial relief from the state board for future tests.
“We need the data, but the water board has as vested an interest as we do,” Palmer said.
Savage said that type of funding wasn’t discussed during his talk with the water board but added that he’ll return with answers about a similar funding request that the CSD sent to Santa Barbara County Environmental Services (EHS) in early December.
This article appears in Dec 18 – Dec 25, 2025.