Water Quality, Supply & Reliability

The San Joaquin Valley’s growing population and expanding economy require an adequate, quality water supply that is reliable for all sectors and the environment. The current supply is inadequate for the future, and the San Joaquin River is a valuable natural resource that needs to be restored and protected while developing additional water supplies. Water and energy are interdependent resources – one-fifth of the state’s energy is used to pump, transport, and treat water – and methods must be addressed to maximize both.

The Water Work Group focuses on ensuring an adequate, diverse water supply for the San Joaquin Valley to support the lifestyle of residents, support economic growth, retain the world-class agricultural base, maintain a reliable urban water supply, and protect the local environment.

Develop implementation strategies of common value following the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.

Focus on consensus of surface and groundwater storage water supply projects.

Develop and update key funding opportunities.

Conduct an education series.

Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (California Department of Water Resources)

Develop implementation strategies of common value, a regional effort led by board member Vito Chiesa and California Water Institute, water issue support organization for the Partnership.

Water Supply

Focus on consensus water supply projects (surface and groundwater storage) including the Temperance Flat and Sites Reservoirs proposals.Update and revitalize the Valley and Delta counties Project List (state and local, especially the Integrated Regional Water Management Plans) developed through the Partnership’s previous Water Work Group activities.

Funding

Develop and update key funding opportunities. Inform key Valley stakeholders about opportunities. Engage stakeholders on developing and advocating Valley positions for “fair share” funding.

Education Series

• Drinking Water
• SBMA
• Drought
• Conservation
• Groundwater Recharge
• Healthy Soils
• Delta Fix
• Legislative Update
• CV Salts/Drainage
• Regulatory Programs

Sustainable Groundwater Management Act

Significant efforts have been spent on implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). Supervisor Vito Chiesa, Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors, convened a group in November 2015 to consider the common elements shared by counties. SGMA recognizes several county responsibilities including: the “front door” for well permits, providing backup as the organizing structure for areas that do not “self-form” into “groundwater sustainability agencies”; and to represent groundwater users within the scope of a sustainability agency that have no other agency to represent them. Finally, each county is a principal agency in the integration of land use planning and groundwater management. See Full Report