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Abundant water or a shortage in San Miguel

February 26, 2026

Greg Grewal

OPINION by GREG GREWAL

Is the community of San Miguel experiencing a water shortage or is there an abundance of ground water?

When applying for grant money, officials claim a shortage. But when it comes to new development and the increased revenue it could offer, San Miguel has plenty of liquid gold.

So what the heck is going on in San Miguel?

The San Luis Obispo County Planning Commission this morning approved adding to the San Miguel Community a project consisting of 181 homes, a park and commercial all on 43 acres. But wait, this project has issues with water supply, emergency rescue, fire safety, and yes – a hazmat problem.

So, how does the Planning Commission approve a project with use of basin water without approval of the groundwater sustainability agency, which in this case is the SLO County Board of Supervisors.

The project site was an airplane landing strip for a crop dusting operation for 30 or more years. Chemical substances were dumped and sprayed on land that includes three onsite wells located close to the runway and the abandoned aircraft hanger.

For now, let’s focus on the water issue. Two of the wells were never used or tested for pumping or contamination.

Regardless, for years, SLO County and San Miguel officials have claimed there is a shortage of water in the Paso basin.  

In Sept. 2018, a jury trial awarded defendants (SLO County, Paso Robles, Templeton Community Services District and San Miguel Community Services District) continued water from the Paso basin based on their usage 40 years ago.  The trial court granted the San Miguel Community Services District 177 acre feet of groundwater annually if the court found overdraft.

SLO County applied and received $7.6 million in Department of Water Resources grant funds to implement a groundwater management plan.  San Miguel CSD received about $250,000 of those grant funds.

The proposed 181 unit project is dependent on Paso basin groundwater.

So which is it? Is the Paso basin in overdraft conditions limiting the amount of water available for San Miguel CSD or is there plenty of water to supply an additional 181 unit residential project.

You can’t have it both ways.

 


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Most assuredly, the SLOC BOS and the SM city “leaders” were hoping enough time passed that no one would remember the contamination issue. THE most important issue NOW to stave off 3 eyed mutant off-spring of future generations on that spoiled land. Hyperbole? Perhaps but are YOU going to drink that water, as is?


Developer money + SLOC BOS and community “leader” evil know no bounds (that cannot be usurped by some back door funding).


WE NEED TO SET THE BOUNDARIES OUR WAY, IN OUR COMMUNITIES.


SLOC BOS be damned.


#takebackyourcommunity


The definition of government = WE THE PEOPLE (this simple civic lesson is gratis)


#WakeUp NOW!


3

San Miguel CSD is seemingly one of the most corrupt agencies in the county. Insane water prices to line their own pockets. Of course they want more development, more money in their pockets


10

I question guaranteeing new entitlements to a water source that is currently a party to unsettled litigation. Will the county unilaterally spend millions more of your tax dollars, feeding lawyers in another attempt to take what is not theirs? Certainly, there is homework to be done before sloppy governance requires the continuous attempt for sales tax increases.


13

Interesting take. Following this line of thinking- why does this Graywal still advocate putting the County in charge of our water when he seems to disagree with so many things they do?


-1

Didn’t this guy convince San Miguel to back out of the groundwater management?


-1

Has anyone ever considered that the new development needs water and perhaps the government officials turn down projects not related to new housing in favor of needed housing?


-8

Water never seemed to be a concern of the planning commission, when allowing another dozen wineries.


11

So I have another set of questions. NHow can the cost of housing be reduced without additional supply of houses? How does everyone except houses to be built when everyone wants them as long as they are someplace else? Everywhere is someplace else. Additionally, we want illegal labor who is using local housing but we want cheaper housing while increasing demand.


4

Simple…


ILLEGAL means ILLEGAL


#DeportThemAll


Boom, more construction jobs, more open housing, classroom space for OUR REAL American children (that we pay high taxes to educate) and infrastructure being used by a known level of American citizens.


Simple enforce existing laws and STOP employing the ILLEGALS amongst us. Starve them out.


2

Are you telling me that when existing residents need the water, there’s a massive shortage, but when developers want the water, there’s plenty? Oh yeah, you’re just finding political fraud and hypocrisy, common practice of the political class. SOP for these people.


40

Yep. “Cut back ag pumping but build more houses!” – Sup Juan Pecan


7

Lying Fraudster that Juan guy.


While I’m thinking about it… #AdamVerdin4Supervisor


2