The state enacted SGMA on Sep 16, 2014, in the middle of a historic drought, to halt overdraft and bring basins into balanced levels of pumping and recharge. Prior to the enactment of SGMA, California was the only Western state that did not manage groundwater under a statewide program.

In the 10 years since its passage, major progress has been made under SGMA:

• More than 250 local Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) have been formed to protect drinking water wells, reduce land sinking and improve groundwater supplies.
• These GSAs are implementing over 100 Groundwater Sustainability Plans, using creative solutions like recharging groundwater supplies to promote a resilient and sustainable water supply.
• Water supply reliability is improving with efforts to recharge groundwater. In 2023 alone, 4.1 million acre-feet of water were added to underground aquifers through managed efforts.
• The state has invested nearly $1 billion in SGMA in 10 years, including more than $100 million through the Department of Water Resources for local groundwater recharge projects.
• California is now collecting more groundwater data than ever before, providing a better understanding of conditions and supporting better management decisions.

Recharging groundwater is key to California’s strategy for expanding water supplies and defending against hotter and drier conditions, which are estimated to reduce California’s water supply by up to 10% by the year 2040. The state is streamlining permits to fast-track groundwater recharge efforts and working towards an ambitious goal of increasing annual groundwater recharge capacity by 500,000 acre-feet.

More information on SGMA implementation and an upcoming event on the milestone anniversary can be found here.