What is Groundwater?
As the world’s largest freshwater resource, groundwater is vital to California’s water supply. It is stored in geologic formations of soil, sand and rocks called aquifers. Groundwater supplies are naturally recharged by rain and snow melt or directly through water management efforts. Groundwater storage is essential during periods of drought.
Due to over-extraction, groundwater levels have declined in many regions causing extensive social and environmental impacts. Groundwater management seeks to balance and mitigate the detrimental effects of development, with plans commonly used to outline management pathways.
Groundwater Sustainability Plan
Passed by the California Legislature in 2014, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) regulates the use of groundwater in the state so that it is sustainable into the long-term future. SGMA requires all medium and high-priority basins — the San Gorgonio Pass Subbasin is a medium-priority basin — to develop a Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP). In response, SGPWA created the San Gorgonio Pass Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Agency with fellow member agencies Banning Heights Mutual Water Company, Cabazon Water District, the City of Banning, Desert Water Agency, and Mission Springs Water District. The San Gorgonio Pass Groundwater Sustainability Plan was adopted in January 2022.
Local Groundwater Information
Find unbiased, timely and relevant data about groundwater resources below.
