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What you need to know: Ten years ago today, California enacted historic legislation to protect groundwater supplies, which about 85 percent of Californians rely on for some portion of their water needs. Enacted in the middle of a historic drought, the law tackles overpumping of groundwater, which puts this important source of drinking water and irrigation in danger of going dry or becoming contaminated.
September 16, 2024 - SACRAMENTO – California today marks 10 years since the enactment of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), a landmark law that is driving reductions in the overuse of groundwater to protect drinking water supplies for millions of Californians and make communities, agriculture and ecosystems more resilient to the impacts of climate change.
Groundwater makes up a significant portion of the state’s water system, especially during dry periods – 41 percent of the state’s total water supply in a normal year and up to 60 percent during droughts. About 85 percent of Californians rely on groundwater for some portion of their water needs.
Overpumping of groundwater for decades has resulted in severe declines in groundwater levels; land subsidence impacting infrastructure and storage capacity; seawater intrusion; and degradation of water quality, among other impacts in overdrafted basins.
“Groundwater is a critical part of the state’s water supply that our communities, economy and environment rely on – especially amid hotter, drier conditions driven by climate change. We must continue our progress to preserve and protect this vital resource for all Californians – the cost and consequences of inaction are far too great.”
Governor Gavin Newsom
The state enacted SGMA on Sep 16, 2014, in the middle of a historic drought, to halt overdraft and bring basins into balanced levels of pumping and recharge. Prior to the enactment of SGMA, California was the only Western state that did not manage groundwater under a statewide program.
In the 10 years since its passage, major progress has been made under SGMA:
- More than 250 local Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) have been formed to protect drinking water wells, reduce land sinking and improve groundwater supplies.
- These GSAs are implementing over 100 Groundwater Sustainability Plans, using creative solutions like recharging groundwater supplies to promote a resilient and sustainable water supply.
- Water supply reliability is improving with efforts to recharge groundwater. In 2023 alone, 4.1 million acre-feet of water were added to underground aquifers through managed efforts.
- The state has invested nearly $1 billion in SGMA in 10 years, including more than $100 million through the Department of Water Resources for local groundwater recharge projects.
- California is now collecting more groundwater data than ever before, providing a better understanding of conditions and supporting better management decisions.
Recharging groundwater is key to California’s strategy for expanding water supplies and defending against hotter and drier conditions, which are estimated to reduce California’s water supply by up to 10% by the year 2040. The state is streamlining permits to fast-track groundwater recharge efforts and working towards an ambitious goal of increasing annual groundwater recharge capacity by 500,000 acre-feet.
More information on SGMA implementation and an upcoming event on the milestone anniversary can be found here.
Source: Office of the Governor
