News

Last Call to take the Water Efficiency Pilot Program Survey The water use efficiency survey is coming to a close! The survey is a part of Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency’s Water Efficiency Pilot Program, which is focused on rural water users served by small water systems or private wells. Rural residents are encouraged [...]

Water efficiency solutions for smaller rural water systems and private domestic groundwater users Many rural areas in California rely heavily on groundwater. These communities are often more vulnerable to drought due to limited infrastructure and financial resources. Groundwater contamination (e.g., nitrates, arsenic) is a significant concern for rural users, necessitating both quantity and quality management. [...]

Groundwater Sustainability Fee map available The Groundwater Sustainability Fee Map is live! This interactive tool brings transparency to annual fees paid by groundwater users in the Salinas Valley. Fees collected within the jurisdiction of the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency to fund the Sustainable Groundwater Management Program and support efforts to plan for sustainable [...]

Apply now to serve on the SVBGSA Board of Directors, applications due June 5 The Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (SVBGSA) is accepting applications for the Board of Directors’ Public Member seat. The SVBGSA is governed by an 11-member Board of Directors, each with an alternate who can serve in the primary Director’s absence. [...]

County Board of Supervisors to consider Groundwater Monitoring Program fee The Monterey County Water Resources Agency (MCWRA) is seeking adoption from the Monterey County Board of Supervisors for fees to support the Groundwater Monitoring Program (GMP). The fee proposal will be heard at 1:30 p.m. at the Monterey County Board of Supervisors meeting at the [...]

In 2016, the County of Monterey and Monterey County Water Resources Agency (MCWRA) contracted the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to develop a coupled surface water and groundwater model of the Salinas Valley within Monterey County. In April 2025, the USGS publicly released the completed Salinas Valley Integrated Hydrologic Model (SVIHM) and accompanying predictive Salinas [...]

The Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (SVBGSA) is accepting applications for the Board of Directors’ Public Member seat. The SVBGSA is a Joint Power Authority (JPA) governed by a Board of 11 Directors, each of whom has an alternate who can serve in the primary Director’s absence. Access the online application.

The Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency is excited to launch its Water Efficiency Pilot Program to help rural communities in the Salinas Valley improve water efficiency and support sustainable groundwater management. Part of the program includes a bilingual survey to assess water use patterns in the region and shape water efficiency strategies to achieve [...]

Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency’s pilot program aims to serve rural residents SALINAS, Calif. — The Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (SVBGSA) today announced the launch of its Water Efficiency Pilot Program to help rural residents improve water efficiency and contribute to sustainable groundwater management. The Salinas Valley, like much of California, [...]

Monitoring well update: Final completion report available on new groundwater monitoring wells A final report on the completion of four groundwater monitoring wells in the Salinas Valley, including the first round of groundwater testing from these wells, is now available. These wells, constructed with grant funds, provide valuable data about groundwater elevations and help to understand [...]