Brackish Groundwater Restoration Project

Over 95% of water used within the Salinas Valley is sourced from managed groundwater resources, supporting families, communities and a world-class agricultural economy. But decades of heavy pumping have lowered groundwater levels and allowed seawater from Monterey Bay to move inland, threatening wells, crops and drinking water. A “no project” scenario shows conditions worsening by 2040.

To address this challenge, the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (SVBGSA) is conducting an evaluation of a Brackish Groundwater Restoration Project (BGRP). The project combines coastal extraction wells with advanced water treatment to both stop seawater intrusion and create a new, reliable water supply.

How the Project Works

• Extraction wells along the coast intercept salty groundwater before it spreads inland.
• Water is treated using reverse osmosis (RO) to remove salt and minerals.
• Treated water can be:
  • Delivered to communities and farms, reducing the need for pumping, or
  • Injected back into the aquifer, raising groundwater levels and pushing seawater away.
• The leftover brine would be discharged safely through Monterey One Water’s ocean outfall.

Completed Milestones

SVBGSA completed the BGRP Feasibility Study Phase 1 Report, Scenarios Analysis and Modeling Results Technical Memoranda in October 2025 (updating the draft completed in December 2024). Building on the initial analysis of the small, medium and large scenarios, in these reports, seven project scenarios are modeled to see how they perform under future conditions, finding that:

• All scenarios are better than doing nothing — they slow or reverse seawater intrusion
• An Injection-Only option — where all treated water is reinjected — was the fastest to meet thresholds, reaching them within 10 years, and users continue to operate existing water systems
• Localized options (such as North of River or Eastside projects) help specific areas, but don’t protect the region from continued seawater intrusion

In March 2026, SVBGSA completed the Brackish Groundwater Restoration Project Feasibility Study, prepared following U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Title XVI guidelines. Completion of the feasibility study positions the project for consideration of future federal participation of up to 25% of eligible project costs.

SVBGSA has also completed a CEQA Initial Study for the project to define environmental review requirements and support future project development.

Project documents:

• BGRP Feasibility Study, March 2026
• BGRP CEQA Initial Study, March 2026 (will be published after fulfilling legal posting requirements)