Johnson, McGinnis, Live Oak

 

Project Status

Drinking Water: CWC is advancing the development of a 30% Design based on the findings of the completed Preliminary Engineering Report (PER). This report will further evaluate and refine long-term drinking water solutions for the community. The goal is to provide safe, reliable drinking water to the Johnson, McGinnis, and Live Oak Roads (JML) area by extending service from California Water Service’s (Cal Water) Las Lomas system.

Wastewater: CWC is currently working on a Feasibility Study to evaluate potential long-term wastewater solutions for the JML area. The goal is to replace aging septic systems with a sustainable, long-term wastewater solution. One potential option being evaluated is connecting the community to the Pajaro County Sanitation District (PCSD).

Background

Many households in the Johnson, McGinnis, and Live Oak Roads (JML) area rely on private wells that are contaminated with nitrate, 1,2,3-trichloropropane (1,2,3-TCP), PFAS, and chromium-6 at levels exceeding public health standards. In addition, the community depends on aging septic systems, some of which are poorly maintained.

Gente Organizada Trabajando por el Agua (GOTA), or People United Working for Water, was formed in January 2021 by community members concerned about drinking water contamination in their wells. Since then, the Community Water Center (CWC) and the JML community have worked together to advance community-driven solutions.

CWC contracted MNS Engineers (now BKF) to conduct a feasibility study evaluating long-term drinking water alternatives for the area. The results are detailed in the Long-Term Drinking Water Solutions for the Johnson, McGinnis, and Live Oak Roads Area report, completed in March 2024.

The recommended long-term drinking water solution is consolidation with the Cal Water Las Lomas public water system. CWC also contracted MNS/BKF Engineers to evaluate long-term wastewater solutions for the JML area through a separate feasibility study.

Project Area

All households within the project area are currently served by private wells or state or locally regulated small water systems.

Get Involved

If you live in or own property within the project area and would like more information, please contact us by call or text at (831) 500-2677 or by email shirley.robles@communitywatercenter.org with questions related to this project.

    • December 11, 2025 – SAFER Advisory Group visit to review the domestic well strategy, discuss the community’s progress toward a long-term solution, and request continued commitment to supporting this community and domestic well communities statewide.

    • November 24, 2025 – Community meeting with updates on drinking water and wastewater projects. Drinking water updates included progress on system design and securing locations for the well, storage tanks, and booster pumps, as well as updates on the Preliminary Engineering Report (PER). Wastewater updates focused on coordination with the State Water Resources Control Board and the County to advance the Preliminary Engineering Report, along with community feedback expressing support for connecting to the Pajaro County Sanitation District (PCSD) for sewer service.

    • April 24, 2025 – Community meeting with updates on drinking water, EPA Change Grant funding, EPIC’s role in identifying funding sources, and land acquisition. The meeting also included an overview of wastewater alternatives, followed by community feedback and discussion.

    • December 5, 2024 – Community meeting focused on drinking water and wastewater updates, including EPA Change Grant updates, land acquisition updates, and a review of wastewater alternatives analysis.

    • August 8, 2024 - Community meeting to review the drinking water project timeline, including outreach, alternatives analysis, design progress, land acquisition, and next steps.

    • January 15, 2024 – Community meeting to discuss the draft Drinking Water Alternatives Analysis Report.

    • July 27, 2023 – Community meeting providing an overview of alternatives for the Drinking Water Project.

    • January 26, 2023 – Community meeting to review the Drinking Water Workplan and discuss next steps.

  • Reports

    Contamination Fact Sheet