State Approves PV Water’s Groundwater Sustainability Plan Update by Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency Aug 21, 2024 Member Submitted News WATSONVILLE – The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has notified PV Water that its Groundwater Sustainability Update 2022 (GSU22) is approved. General Manager Brian Lockwood explained “This approval is yet another significant win for the Pajaro Valley as it validates the important work PV Water has been doing to achieve sustainable groundwater resources, and, importantly, the determination keeps PV Water moving forward. In addition, DWR’s approval of PV Water’s GSP Alternative in 2019 was among the first approvals in the state, DWR’s approval of PV Water’s periodic update to its GSP Alternative, GSU22, is also among the first in the state. The GSU22 was prepared under the oversight of the Ad Hoc Sustainable Groundwater Committee, and that Committee deserves to be recognized for this achievement.” Kirk Schmidt, the Committee Chair, had this to share when he heard the news; “PV Water has progressed since its founding in 1984, managing a water basin that was deemed high risk with critical overdraft, through periods of acrimony, to one of the first basins in the State on a path to achieving full sustainability. Full sustainability means we will achieve this goal, before our neighbors, to reach a balanced aquifer in the next 15 years. PV Water is already close to achieving this goal. A remarkable feat.” The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) requires that Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) prepare periodic updates of their approved plans at least once every five years. PV Water’s next periodic update is due to DWR in December 2026. Staff anticipates that the PV Water Board will establish a new Ad Hoc Committee next year to begin the process to prepare the next update. “This is wonderful news!” PV Water Board Chair Amy Newell stated during the July Board meeting. “The decision allows our staff to stay focused on implementation of the College Lake Project, the Sloughs project, recycled water and our conservation and recharge programs described in the GSU22,” Amy added. While DWR’s approval helps to keep PV Water moving forward, some GSA’s elsewhere in the state are facing severe actions, including State Water Resource Control Board led public hearings and being placed into “Probationary Status”. PV Water’s success is helping to maintain local control of the Pajaro Valley’s water resources. While there is much work yet to do, DWR’s approval confirms PV Water is on the right track. To learn more about the GSU22 visit PV Water’s website https://www.pvwater.org/sgm ABOUT PV WATER The Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency (PV Water) is a state-chartered water management district, and a Groundwater Sustainability Agency, formed to efficiently and economically manage existing and supplemental water supplies in order to prevent further increase in, and to accomplish continuing reduction of, long-term overdraft. PV Water works to provide and ensure sufficient water supplies for present and future anticipated needs within its boundaries, generally the greater coastal Pajaro Valley. For more information, visit www.pvwater.org or www.facebook.com/PajaroValleyWater.
