Ground-water levels go public for first time
New law requires users to disclose ground-water data.
E. J. Schultz
Fresno Bee
11/11/2009
SACRAMENTO -- California for the first time will require water users to disclose ground-water levels as a result of legislation recently approved by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and lawmakers.
Ground-water monitoring has long been sought by Democrats and environmentalists, but opposed by Republicans and farm groups, who fear an invasion of property. But the parties last week struck a compromise as part of a larger water deal, which includes new conservation rules and an $11 billion water bond voters will consider in a year to pay for dams and other projects.
Here's a closer look at the ground-water bill:
Question: What's the problem?
Answer: California is the only state in the West that does not measure aquifer levels. Bill supporters say the lack of information means the state cannot properly manage ground water, which accounts for about 30% of supplies -- and more in drought years.
More data might show that an aquifer has room to store water pumped in from reservoirs. Also, the state will gain a better understanding of how water moves underground. This could come in handy if one basin is polluted and neighboring residents need to be warned, state officials say.
Q: What does the bill do?
A: It requires water basins to measure water levels and publish the information starting Jan. 1, 2012.
Q: What's the situation in the Valley?
A: There are 16 basins in the San Joaquin Valley. The region relies heavily on ground water, which accounts for up to 40% of supplies. During droughts -- including the current one -- farmers rely more on ground water, stressing aquifers.
The Valley has lost 60 million acre-feet of ground water since 1961, according to a recent U.S. Geological Survey study. The pumping is causing the Valley floor to sink, the study found. The "subsidence" could potentially damage the California Aqueduct.
Some water districts, such as the mammoth Westlands Water District, already collect extensive ground-water data -- they are just not required to share it with the state, until now.
Q: What happens if basins don't report ground-water data?
A: The multiple water districts over a basin can form voluntary associations to report the data. If no one steps up, the state Department of Water Resources can take over and charge well owners for monitoring costs. As punishment, the home county of the noncompliant basin will lose state water grants, although there are exceptions for low-income communities.
