Nope, the wet winter didn’t wash away the state law on sustainable groundwater use

Groundwater users in cities and on farms can learn Wednesday about the state law mandating sustainable use.

A pair of identical workshops in Denair will deal with early steps for groundwater planning in a zone from south Modesto to north Merced County. It is one of many areas around the state that have about a quarter-century to assure that the water pumped out does not exceed recharge of the aquifers.

The morning and evening gatherings are hosted by the Turlock Groundwater Basin Association. It includes 14 cities, water suppliers and county governments generally between the Tuolumne and Merced rivers.

The 2014 law came about amid a five-year drought that taxed groundwater in many locales. It was followed by near-record rain and snow, but the long-term concern remains, association chairwoman Debbie Liebersbach said.

The sustainability plan will be crafted over three to five years. It will examine current pumping, recharge from storms and irrigation, and possible projects that inject water in key places.

The Turlock Groundwater Basin has two newly-created agencies — west and east — that are doing a plan together. Similar agencies will handle the West Side, the part of Modesto north of the Tuolumne River, and other parts of Northern San Joaquin Valley.

This story was originally published May 30, 2017 at 4:46 PM with the headline "Nope, the wet winter didn’t wash away the state law on sustainable groundwater use."