The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), passed in 2014, represents California's most significant water legislation in decades. SGMA requires local agencies to manage groundwater basins sustainably, with critically overdrafted basins achieving sustainability by 2040 and medium/high priority basins by 2042.
📋 In This Guide
- SGMA Overview
- Groundwater Sustainability Agencies
- Groundwater Sustainability Plans
- Critically Overdrafted Basins
- Sustainability Indicators
- Funding & Costs
- Agricultural Impacts
- State Intervention
- Domestic Well Impacts
- Progress Metrics
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Need Well Services in Southern California?
This statistics page tracks SGMA implementation progress, basin classifications, and the path toward groundwater sustainability across California.
SGMA Overview
Groundwater Sustainability Agencies
Groundwater Sustainability Plans
Critically Overdrafted Basins
Sustainability Indicators
Funding & Costs
Agricultural Impacts
State Intervention
Domestic Well Impacts
Progress Metrics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SGMA?
The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), enacted in 2014, requires California's high and medium priority groundwater basins to be managed sustainably. Local Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) must develop and implement Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs) to eliminate overdraft and achieve sustainability by 2040 (critical basins) or 2042 (other priority basins).
How many California basins are critically overdrafted?
21 California groundwater basins are designated critically overdrafted, concentrated in the San Joaquin Valley (8 basins) with additional basins in the Central Coast, Southern California (Coachella, Borrego), and Antelope Valley. These basins face the strictest requirements and earliest deadlines (2040) under SGMA.
How will SGMA affect agriculture?
SGMA is projected to require 500,000-750,000 acres of farmland to be fallowed by 2040, primarily in the San Joaquin Valley. The economic impact could reach $7 billion annually. Some basins require 30-50% pumping reductions. Almonds and pistachios are among the most affected crops. Water trading and efficiency improvements may reduce impacts.
What happens if a GSP is inadequate?
If DWR deems a GSP inadequate, the basin has 2 years to address deficiencies. Currently, 11 GSPs have been deemed inadequate and 6 basins are under State Water Board review. If corrections aren't made, the State Water Board can place the basin on probationary status and ultimately take over management, imposing pumping fees of $500-1,000 per acre-foot.
Are domestic wells regulated under SGMA?
Domestic wells using less than 2 acre-feet per year are classified as 'de minimis' extractors and generally exempt from pumping fees and allocations under SGMA. However, over 1,300 domestic wells have gone dry since 2020 due to declining water tables. Some GSAs are beginning to include domestic well monitoring in their plans.
What progress has been made on SGMA implementation?
As of 2024, 261 GSAs have formed, 116 GSPs have been submitted, and 85% are approved or conditionally approved. However, only 15% of basins show water level stabilization, 35% have implemented pumping allocations, and 22% are charging pumping fees. Most GSAs are still in early implementation phases with significant work ahead.
Need Well Services in Southern California?
Southern California Well Service provides professional well drilling, pump repair, and water testing throughout San Diego, Riverside, and surrounding counties.
