Groundwater Quality Protection Strategy: A "Roadmap" for the Central Valley Region

Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (CVRWQCB) | January 8th, 2010

The California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Central Valley Region (Central Valley Water Board) recognizes that past regulatory approaches have not protected all

The California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Central Valley Region (Central Valley Water Board) recognizes that past regulatory approaches have not protected all groundwater from historical and current practices associated with land applications of waste. For example, in some areas of the Central Valley Region groundwater produced from some aquifers that serve individual and community drinking water systems have been polluted and are unsafe to drink. In response, the Central Valley Water Board adopted Resolution R5-2008-0181 directing staff to develop a Groundwater Quality Protection Strategy (Roadmap) through an active stakeholder process. Developing a Roadmap for the Central Valley Region is not initiating a new regulatory program. This Roadmap is intended to be an overarching framework or an outline for long range planning. By presenting it to the Central Valley Water Board it allows the Board review and approval of the overarching plan as well as an opportunity to provide direction to staff. Further, it defines the regulatory programs to be enhanced, and identifies ways to expand on all partnering opportunities with other federal, state, and/or local agencies to protect groundwater quality. Following approval of the Roadmap, workplan(s) will be developed for the higher priority future actions to provide a more detailed description of tasks, timelines, and resources required to implement those actions. In order to make this Roadmap useful to the public, policy-makers, and the Central Valley Water Board, a starting point to map a course for the future had to be identified. The starting point for the Roadmap is the background (Section 3) information on agencies and organization, the Central Valley Region’s basins, and primary constituents of concern. Current Groundwater Quality Protection Programs (Section 4) being implemented by the Central Valley Water Board describe how groundwater quality is being protected now. To assist in the evaluation of existing groundwater quality protection programs and identification of future actions, Stakeholder’s Concerns and Issues (Section 5) were also considered. The final section of the Strategy is the “Roadmap” (Section 6) which focuses on future actions that can be implemented within the next five to twenty years. To illustrate the Roadmap, a description is provided of three basic elements: a) future actions; b) how the actions are prioritized; and c) resource needs to implement the actions. Implementation of future actions, are not limited to the Central Valley Water Board. Future actions may be implemented by: the Central Valley Water Board; other agencies or organization; or through a partnership between agencies.

Groundwater Quality Protection Strategy: A “Roadmap” for the Central Valley Region

California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) | August 2nd, 2010

The California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Central Valley Region (Central Valley Water Board) recognizes that past regulatory approaches have not protected all

The California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Central Valley Region (Central Valley Water Board) recognizes that past regulatory approaches have not protected all groundwater from historical and current practices associated with land applications of waste. For example, in some areas of the Central Valley Region groundwater produced from some aquifers that serve individual and community drinking water systems have been polluted and are unsafe to drink. In response, the Central Valley Water Board adopted Resolution R5-2008-0181 directing staff to develop a Groundwater Quality Protection Strategy (Roadmap) through an active stakeholder process.  Developing a Roadmap for the Central Valley Region is not initiating a new regulatory program. This Roadmap is intended to be an overarching framework or an outline for long range planning. By presenting it to the Central Valley Water Board it allows the Board review and approval of the overarching plan as well as an opportunity to provide direction to staff. Further, it defines the regulatory programs to be enhanced, and identifies ways to expand on all partnering opportunities with other federal, state, and/or local agencies to protect groundwater quality. Following approval of the Roadmap, workplan(s) will be developed for the higher priority future actions to provide a more detailed description of tasks, timelines, and resources required to implement those actions.  In order to make this Roadmap useful to the public, policy-makers, and the Central Valley Water Board, a starting point to map a course for the future had to be identified. The starting point for the Roadmap is the background (Section 3) information on agencies and organization, the Central Valley Region’s basins, and primary constituents of concern. Current Groundwater Quality Protection Programs (Section 4) being implemented by the Central Valley Water Board describe how groundwater quality is being protected now. To assist in the evaluation of existing groundwater quality protection programs and identification of future actions, Stakeholder’s Concerns and Issues (Section 5) were also considered.  The final section of the Strategy is the “Roadmap” (Section 6) which focuses on future actions that can be implemented within the next five to twenty years. To illustrate the Roadmap, a description is provided of three basic elements: a) future actions; b) how the actions are prioritized; and c) resource needs to implement the actions. Implementation of future actions, are not limited to the Central Valley Water Board. Future actions may be implemented by: the Central Valley Water Board; other agencies or organization; or through a partnership between agencies.  Also: Groundwater Quality Protection Strategy for the Central Valley Region, a Roadmap - Addendum 2015/2016 Home page of Groundwater Quality Protection Strategy for the Central Valley Region, R-5

Groundwater Resource Management Fundamentals: Groundwater Basin Connectivity

United Water Conservation District (UWCD) | May 14th, 2014

As Ventura County and the rest of the State of California continue to deal with drought conditions there is an increased interest and reliance on groundwater reso

As Ventura County and the rest of the State of California continue to deal with drought conditions there is an increased interest and reliance on groundwater resources. Over the past decade or so the CA Department of Water Resources and others have promoted water supply planning by watershed groups or other local entities, and this approach has generally been accepted by planners and stakeholders. In Ventura County, there is significant groundwater flow between defined groundwater basins both within and between watersheds, and stream flow in the dry seasons is commonly dependent on groundwater discharges to stream channels. Groundwater flow between connected subbasins has long been recognized in southern Ventura County, most notably in the groundwater basins that underlie the watersheds of the Santa Clara River and Calleguas Creek. The intent of this Open-File Report is to document the historical evolution of the concept of the hydrologic connectivity of groundwater basins in the Santa Clara River valley and the Oxnard Plain coastal area, and to summarize the underlying scientific data supporting the hydrologic connectivity principle. The idea of groundwater basin connectivity is not new, and in fact, predates the formation of United Water Conservation District (United), but is a concept that is embraced by United as a key tenet of their groundwater management activities. As a primary groundwater management entity for the Santa Clara River valley and Oxnard Plain area, United has extensive datasets supporting the concept of groundwater flow or movement (i.e., connectivity) between the subbasins in its jurisdiction. The current drought conditions being experienced in Ventura County have reinvigorated a desire by several entities to develop basin-wide or regional water supply management plans. Clearly, the hydrologic relationships between the groundwater basins are important factors for recognition in water supply management plans. The effects of groundwater extraction or wastewater discharge, for example, impact downgradient subbasins and respective stakeholders. Recognition of this important hydrologic relationship is fundamental to creating long-term sustainable groundwater resource management strategies. The current regulatory setting in California includes several attempts to “manage” groundwater resources or water resource, in general, but those attempts are often focused at a local level (e.g., Urban Water Management Plans, Agricultural Water Management Plans) that do not account for the regional nature of this resource. These “entity-specific” plans are not, by themselves, sufficient for water resource sustainability planning purposes as they frequently ignore or minimize the importance of the regional nature of the hydrologic system. This Open-File Report has been prepared to provide Ventura County water resource management agencies (e.g., Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency, Ventura County Watershed Protection District, United Water Conservation District) and local municipalities and businesses that may be stakeholders in the development of water resource management and sustainability plans a guiding framework for thinking about how the hydrologic systems in the Santa Clara River valley and the greater Oxnard Plain coastal area function.

Groundwater Sustainability Agency Support and Sustainable Groundwater Management Planning

Freshwater Trust | January 16th, 2018

California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) poses significant challenges for the expedited establishment of Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSA) and

California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) poses significant challenges for the expedited establishment of Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSA) and the development of effective Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSP) or alternative compliance plans. The Freshwater Trust has experience working with eligible agencies, counties, and the California Department of Water Resources to support GSA development. We partner with the respective technical and administrative staff to streamline the governance process and to meet the schedule for implementation.

Groundwater Sustainability Plan Fillmore Basin (Final - Revised)

Fillmore and Piru Basins Groundwater Sustainability Agency | July 8th, 2024

In January 2024, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) informed the Fillmore and Piru Basins Groundwater Sustainability Agency (FPBGSA or Agency) that the Gr

In January 2024, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) informed the Fillmore and Piru Basins Groundwater Sustainability Agency (FPBGSA or Agency) that the Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) submitted to DWR in January 2022 for the Fillmore Basin was deemed incomplete and provided the Agency with a 180-day period to address the deficiencies. In consultation with DWR, the Agency Board of Directors, and stakeholders, the Fillmore Basin GSP has been revised to address the deficiencies. This revised version of the GSP is not a complete update of the GSP; rather, it only revises those sections of the GSP (and associated appendices) to address the DWR-identified deficiencies. A more robust revisit of the GSP will be part of the 5-year update due in 2027. Due to size, this file has been divided. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13

Groundwater Sustainability Plan for the Delta-Mendota Subbasin

Delta-Mendota Subbasin Coordination Committee | July 31st, 2024

1. Table of Contents 2. Executive Summary 3. Introduction 4. Plan Area 5. Basin Setting 6. Groundwater Conditions 7. Water Budget 8. Sustainability Criteria 9

1. Table of Contents 2. Executive Summary 3. Introduction 4. Plan Area 5. Basin Setting 6. Groundwater Conditions 7. Water Budget 8. Sustainability Criteria 9. Monitoring 10. Projects and Management 11. Plan Implementation 12. References 13. Appendices For a full history of basin GSPs, go to the Department of Water Resources Sustainable Groundwater Management Act portal.

Groundwater Sustainability Plan for the Northern and Central Delta-Mendota Regions

San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority (SLDMWA) | November 30th, 2019

Table of Contents Executive Summary Introduction Plan Area Governance and Administration Outreach and Communication Basin Setting Sustainable M

Table of Contents Executive Summary Introduction Plan Area Governance and Administration Outreach and Communication Basin Setting Sustainable Management Criteria Sustainability Implementation Plan Implementation Technical Studies Appendices A. Coordination Agreements B. Common Chapter C. Outreach Documentation D. Water Budget Model Documentation E. Hydrographs for Sustainable Management Criteria F. Quality Assurance Program G. Noticing and Adoption Implementation H. Elements Guide

Groundwater Update 2013: San Joaquin River Hydrologic Region Report

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | April 1st, 2016

The primary goal of the San Joaquin River Hydrologic Region (San Joaquin River region) groundwater update is to expand information about region-specific groundwater condi

The primary goal of the San Joaquin River Hydrologic Region (San Joaquin River region) groundwater update is to expand information about region-specific groundwater conditions for California Water Plan Update 2013, and to guide more informed groundwater management actions and policies. A second goal is to steadily improve the quality of groundwater information in future California Water Plan updates to a level that will enable regional water management groups (RWMGs) to accurately evaluate their groundwater resources and implement management strategies that can meet local and regional water resource objectives within the context of broader statewide objectives. The final goal is to identify data gaps and groundwater management challenges meant to serve as a guidepost for prioritizing future data collection and funding opportunities relevant to the region. This regional groundwater update is not intended to provide a comprehensive and detailed examination of local groundwater conditions, or be a substitute for local studies and analysis. However, where information is readily available, the update does report some aspects of the regional groundwater conditions in greater detail.

Growing human-induced climate change fingerprint in regional weekly fire extremes

Nature Portfolio (Springer Nature) | April 23rd, 2025

Guide for Developing Onsite Water Systems to Support Regional Water Resilience

Pacific Institute | January 26th, 2023

Across the United States, urban communities face growing water challenges, from water scarcity to flooding, pollution, aging water infrastructure, and more. These challen

Across the United States, urban communities face growing water challenges, from water scarcity to flooding, pollution, aging water infrastructure, and more. These challenges present risks, but also an opportunity to rethink how we manage water, including adopting circular approaches in new buildings that reduce their water footprint and improve urban water resilience. Onsite water systems, for example, collect, treat, and reuse water from onsite sources, including wastewater, rainwater, and stormwater, for non-potable water uses like toilet flushing, outdoor irrigation, and cooling. Onsite water systems have the potential to provide multiple benefits for a site, water and wastewater systems, ecosystems, and communities. They can, for example, help companies mitigate water- related risks, like water shortages that threaten to disrupt business operations, and support corporate water stewardship goals. For communities, onsite water systems can enhance water supply reliability, improve water quality, reduce localized flooding, and increase urban green space. The realization and magnitude of benefits will vary with the type of system, scale of adoption, and other context-specific factors. This guide helps site developers consider how onsite water systems can be planned, designed, and operated to provide multiple benefits, and contribute to planning and designing onsite water systems that advance water resilience, support equity, support the environment, and protect public health at the site, water system, and community scales. For each of these outcomes, the guide provides sample questions to consider, stakeholders to engage, resources to examine, and analyses to perform.