“California’s Water Crisis: Why New Legislation to Curb Overpumping Was Rejected”
Over the past several years, California’s water managers have observed a troubling trend in the farming areas of the Central Valley. Despite declining groundwater levels leading to dry wells and land sinking, permits for new high-capacity wells continue to be granted to agricultural landowners. A bill sponsored by the California Department of Water Resources aimed to address this issue by prohibiting new wells within a quarter-mile of drinking water wells or in areas experiencing land subsidence due to overpumping.
The bill, supported by Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration, was narrowly rejected in the Senate after facing opposition from various groups including the agriculture industry, business organizations, local governments, and water agencies. Critics argued that the bill was too restrictive and could hinder efforts to achieve groundwater sustainability.
Assemblymember Steve Bennett, who introduced the bill, highlighted the loophole in California’s groundwater law, which left counties responsible for issuing permits for new wells despite the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act of 2014. This has resulted in a situation where new wells are drilled while existing wells run dry, particularly impacting rural communities.
Parts of California are experiencing rapid groundwater depletion rates, exacerbated by climate change-induced rising temperatures increasing crops’ water demands. Land subsidence in areas like Tulare, Fresno, and Kern counties has necessitated costly repairs to infrastructure due to sinking ground caused by overpumping.
Despite the defeat of the bill, advocates emphasize the need for stronger regulations to prevent further groundwater depletion and land subsidence. The Department of Water Resources highlighted the failure of existing measures to address the issue effectively, with concerns raised by residents and officials in vulnerable areas.
Supporters of the bill, including advocacy groups like the Community Water Center and Clean Water Action, stressed the urgency of regulating new well permits to prevent adverse impacts on existing wells and infrastructure. The bill aimed to complement existing groundwater management laws and promote drought resiliency.
While some experts like hydrologist Jay Famiglietti support the legislation as crucial for sustainability, others caution against a one-size-fits-all approach that may disproportionately affect small farms. The debate surrounding the bill underscores the complex challenges of balancing agricultural needs with sustainable water management in California’s Central Valley.