News

New program encourages repurposing of flood-prone irrigated lands The Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency is partnering with regional agencies to develop and implement a Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program. The program supports the transition of flood-prone irrigated land to new areas that will help reestablish sustainable groundwater supplies. SVBGSA is implementing the program in partnership with [...]

Seawater intrusion: A key issue for the Salinas Valley Basin What is seawater intrusion? It's a process where seawater flows into freshwater aquifers, which typically occurs along coastal areas. Groundwater pumping can reduce freshwater flow toward coastal areas and lead to seawater being drawn into freshwater aquifers, making them unsuitable for most uses without costly [...]

SVBGSA completes third monitoring well, adding crucial subbasin data The Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency has constructed three of four new grant-funded monitoring wells in the 180/400-Foot Aquifer Subbasin. These wells will provide key data as SVBGSA continues to implement a long-term groundwater sustainability plan for the region. Construction of four monitoring wells began in [...]

SALINAS, Calif. -- The Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (SVBGSA) is installing four new monitoring wells as part of the implementation of the Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) for the 180/400-Foot Aquifer Subbasin. The subbasin is located in northwestern Monterey County and includes the northern end of the Salinas River Valley. The new monitoring wells [...]

$10M in Grant Funding Supports Implementation of Groundwater Sustainability Plans in Four Subbasins The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has awarded more than $10 million in funding to the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (SVBGSA) through the Sustainable Groundwater Management (SGM) Grant Program to support implementation of SVBGSA’s state-mandated groundwater sustainability plans in [...]

Funding will support four groundwater subbasins in Monterey County SALINAS, Calif. -- The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has awarded more than $10 million in funding to the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (SVBGSA) through the Sustainable Groundwater Manageemnt (SGM) Grant Program to support implementation of SVBGSA's state-mandated groundwater sustainability plans in four [...]

FALLing for a new drought-tolerant yard? Rebates can help! As summer transitions into fall, the weather isn’t the only thing that is changing. Consider changing your yard into a water-efficient oasis. With severe droughts happening in California every few years, homeowners can plan to combat the drought with sustainable landscaping options that can thrive with [...]

What does it mean to have overdrafted subbasins in the Salinas Valley Subbasins are groundwater storage areas that provide a critical water source for many communities in the Salinas Valley. Overdraft occurs when the rate of groundwater extraction surpasses the natural recharge rate, leading to a decline in groundwater levels. This unsustainable practice of overdrafting [...]

Summer is here! So are new personal irrigation habits During the hot summer months, it's crucial to adopt responsible personal irrigation habits that keep landscapes vibrant while also helping conserve water resources. By implementing a few simple strategies, you can make a significant difference in water conservation efforts and contribute to a sustainable future here [...]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 24, 2023   Contact: Piret Harmon, General Manager Phone: (831) 471-7512 x207 Email: harmonp@svbgsa.org Monterey County Groundwater Sustainability Plans Approved by State  Langley, Eastside, Forebay, Upper Valley and Monterey Subbasins’ plans move into implementation phase SALINAS, Calif. — The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has approved the Groundwater Sustainability Plans [...]