Kern Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability

Welcome to the Kern GSP website. You will find information pertaining to the Groundwater Sustainability Plan in the Kern Subbasin

FAQs

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Frequently Asked Questions & Answers 

What is the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA)? 

The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) is a California law enacted in 2014 to address the overuse and depletion of groundwater resources across the state. It requires formation of local Groundwater Sustainability Agencies within State defined groundwater subbasins and development of plans to manage groundwater sustainably, ensuring it remains available for future generations. SGMA aims to balance water use with replenishment, preventing problems like dry wells, land subsidence, and degraded water quality. 

California’s groundwater basins are defined and mapped in Bulletin 118 by the Department of Water Resources, classifying them based on geology and hydrology. Learn more: https://water.ca.gov/Programs/Groundwater-Management/Bulletin-118  

Recommended additional reading: 

Water Education Foundation’s Summary of SGMA https://www.watereducation.org/aquapedia-background/sustainable-groundwater-management-act-sgma  

Department of Water Resources’ Informational Brochure: California’s Groundwater and the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act 

What is the Kern County Subbasin? 

 The Kern County Subbasin is a groundwater basin located in California’s southern San Joaquin Valley. The Subbasin contains 1.78 million acres and is the largest in the State. The primary beneficial uses and users of groundwater in the Subbasin include agricultural users, industrial users, domestic well owners, small community wells, and municipal well operators. Despite the name, the Kern County Subbasin only covers 34% of Kern County, located in the southernmost portion of the San Joaquin Valley. The Subbasin is managed by 20 local Groundwater Sustainability Agencies working together to achieve groundwater sustainability by 2040.  

Why is the Kern County Subbasin designated as critically overdrafted? 

The Kern Subbasin does not have enough natural groundwater to meet the current needs of the people and industries that rely on it. Because of this, it has been classified by the CA Department of Water Resources as critically overdrafted, meaning more water is being taken out than is naturally replaced. Currently, the Subbasin’s native groundwater supply is estimated at just 0.15 acre-feet (AF) per year. 

The Subbasin’s goal is to bring the groundwater system into balance by reducing demand, increasing supplies, and more efficient management of both surface water and groundwater together (known as conjunctive use). This balanced condition is called safe yield—when the amount of water pumped out of the ground is equal to or less than the amount that naturally refills it. 

What is a Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA)? 

A Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) is a local entity formed under California’s SGMA to manage and regulate groundwater resources sustainably. GSAs are responsible for developing and implementing Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs) to achieve long-term balance between groundwater extraction and replenishment. The role of the Kern County Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Agencies is to develop and enforce sustainable measures to restore balance and ensure long-term groundwater resource viability in the region by 2040.  They work collaboratively with stakeholders, including domestic well users, farmers, municipalities, small public water suppliers, Disadvantaged Community members, drinking water advocacy, and environmental justice groups, to ensure the health and availability of groundwater for future generations. The Kern County Subbasin, being the largest Subbasin in the State, is managed by 20 GSAs.  

What authorities do GSAs have? 

A GSA that has adopted a GSP may exercise any of the powers, as described in Section 5 of the GSP, which include if the GSA adopts and submits to DWR a GSP. GSAs have the authority to develop and implement GSP(s) to manage and regulate groundwater use within their designated basins. They can monitor groundwater levels, enforce pumping restrictions, and implement projects to recharge and conserve groundwater resources. GSAs also have the power to collect fees and charges from groundwater users to fund sustainability efforts and ensure compliance with the SGMA. 

  1. Authority to Manage Groundwater – GSAs can develop and implement Groundwater Sustainability Plans to manage and balance groundwater supply and demand within their area. 
  1. Authority to Require Information – GSAs can require groundwater users to report information such as pumping amounts and well locations. GSAs can also conduct inspections and investigations to gather data for groundwater management (with notice and, if necessary, a court order). 
  1. Authority to Register and Monitor Wells – GSAs may adopt rules requiring registration of groundwater wells and installation of measuring devices (like meters) to track groundwater extraction. 
  1. Authority to Limit Pumping – GSAs can control groundwater extraction, including setting limits or allocations. GSAs can also establish rules that reduce pumping to sustainable levels over time. 
  1. Authority to Levy Fees – GSAs can charge fees to fund their groundwater management activities. These include regulatory fees (e.g., for permits, reports, or monitoring) and pumping fees (charges based on the volume of water extracted). 
  1. Authority to Enforce Rules – GSAs can impose civil penalties for violations of their regulations. 
  1. Take legal action to enforce their rules and groundwater sustainability plans. 
  1. Coordination and Cooperation – GSAs are encouraged to coordinate with other agencies, cities, counties, and stakeholders, especially in basins with multiple GSAs. They can also enter into agreements or contracts and work with state and federal agencies. 
  1. Relationship to Other Laws – GSAs’ powers are supplemental, not exclusive. They do not override existing water rights, but they can regulate how water is extracted to protect basin sustainability. 

What authorities do GSAs not have? 

GSAs do not have the authority to override existing water rights or regulate activities unrelated to groundwater management). They cannot impose regulations or fees that are inconsistent with state law. Additionally, GSAs do not have jurisdiction over surface water management, issue well permits, or the ability to enforce actions outside their designated groundwater basin boundaries.  

How can I stay up to date on developments of the Kern County Subbasin GSAs? 

  1. Sign up via email to receive notifications related to the Kern County Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan(s) see sign-up sheet on right panel of homepage www.KernGSP.com  
  1. Follow the Kern County Subbasin on social media such as Facebook and Instagram (@kerncountysubbasin) 
  1. Attend one of our many community events and public meetings (see our public meeting and event calendar kerngsp.com/communityresources/). 

What is a Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP)? 

A Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) is a comprehensive framework developed by a GSA (or multiple GSAs) to manage and protect groundwater resources under California’s SGMA.  GSPs serve as roadmaps for how groundwater basins will reach long-term sustainability.  

The Kern County Subbasin GSP(s) can be accessed here: GSP Documents – Kern Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability.  

Recommended additional reading: Department of Water Resources summary of Groundwater Sustainability Plans https://water.ca.gov/Programs/Groundwater-Management/SGMA-Groundwater-Management/Groundwater-Sustainability-Plans  

Where can I find a summary of the contents of the GSP? 

Short on time but still want to get the key details of the GSP? Check out the Executive Summary at www.kerngsp.com/gsp-documents/ . The Executive Summary is a concise yet comprehensive overview of all the Plan’s sections.  

What is groundwater sustainability? 

Groundwater sustainability involves managing groundwater resources to maintain a long-term balance between groundwater extraction/outflows and replenishment/inflows, ensuring that aquifers are not overused or depleted, while also protecting against significant and unreasonable impacts to beneficial users of groundwater. 

Recommended additional reading: Department of Water Resources’ summary of GSAs https://water.ca.gov/Programs/Groundwater-Management/SGMA-Groundwater-Management/Groundwater-Sustainable-Agencies  

How do the Kern County Subbasin GSPs protect drinking water supplies? 

The Kern County Subbasin GSP(s) protect drinking water supplies through the following measures: 

  1. Extensive Groundwater Level and Groundwater Quality Monitoring: GSAs use a robust network of monitoring wells through Representative Monitoring Networks to track groundwater levels and groundwater quality, ensuring proactive measures and GSP updates as needed.  
  1. Well Mitigation Program: Partnering with Self-Help Enterprises, the Kern Subbasin offers mitigation for impacted wells.  
  1. Well Owner Risk Notifications via Well Registration: Domestic wells near significant changes in groundwater conditions will be notified & provided relevant resources, like information on the Well Mitigation Program.  
  1. Limits on Groundwater Decline & Action Triggers: GSPs set groundwater level thresholds to prevent excessive groundwater declines, triggering actions to protect users like domestic wells & public water systems. 
  1. Projects and Management Actions: The GSP included projects (banking, recharge, etc.) and management actions (demand management, supply augmentation, efforts to fill data gaps) designed to achieve sustainability and avoid significant and unreasonable impacts to beneficial users of groundwater.  

Who do I call if my domestic well goes dry? 

If your domestic well goes dry: Please call Self-Help Enterprises at 559-802-1685 and/or email DROUGHTSUPPORT@SELFHELPENTERPRISES.ORG 

Information on the Kern County Subbasin’s Well Mitigation Program: https://kerngsp.com/well-mitigation-program/    

Are the GSAs responsible to manage and mitigate all groundwater quality degradation within the Subbasin? 

No, not all groundwater quality degradation – only that directly related to groundwater pumping/management activities post-2015.  Most groundwater quality issues arise from legacy (pre-SGMA) sources of contamination or non-groundwater management activities (i.e. diffuse leaching that has occurred related to application of pesticides and fertilizers, septic systems, and industrial activities). 

GSAs in the Kern County Subbasin monitor and manage groundwater quality degradation caused by groundwater management activities, like pumping.  Using a Representative Monitoring Network, GSAs monitor key contaminants and collaborate with the following local groups which may have some responsibilities under existing groundwater regulatory programs: 

  • Nitrate Control Program under the Central Valley’s Water Quality Control Plan for the Tulare Lake Basin  

Under the Nitrate Control Program, Management Zones assist all dischargers of nitrate comply with the Nitrate Control Program, which includes programs to provide access to safe drinking water and to reduce the amount of nitrate that may leach to groundwater.  

  • Local organizations: Local management is overseen by the Kern Water Collaborative Management Zone (KWC) Related activities administered by KWC: 
  • KWC offers free-well domestic well testing in parts of the Kern subbasin, and if the well exceeds the nitrate water quality objective (set equal to the primary MCL), then replacement water is provided. In the future, the KWC may expand their testing program to include other contaminants if grant funding from the State’s SAFER program is approved for the Kern Water Collaborative. 

Learn more: www.kwcmz.org 

  • ILRP: Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program  
  •  Under the ILRP, irrigated lands coalitions assist growers in complying with the terms of waste discharge requirements. 
  • Related activities under the ILRP include: 
  • Groundwater trend monitoring 
  • Groundwater Water Quality Management plans for exceedances of water quality objectives caused by agricultural discharges (i.e., nitrate) 
  • Implementation of best management practices related to application of pesticides and fertilizers 
  • Development and implementation of Irrigation and Nutrient Management Plans to reduce the amount of nitrate that may be available to leach to groundwater 
  • Notably, the waste discharge requirements regulate current discharges of pollutants, they do not require remediation or mitigation of past discharges 
  • Local Organizations:   

The Kern County Subbasin Well Mitigation Program provides mitigation measures for wells impacted by groundwater management activities.   

What is land subsidence? 

Land subsidence is the gradual sinking of the ground surface. Causes for land subsidence in Kern County Subbasin include, often caused by the over-extraction of groundwater or over-extraction of oil and gas, which leads to the compaction of underground soil layers. This phenomenon can result in physical damage to critical infrastructure. Such damage to surface water canals and pipelines can alter the flow and reduce the surface water supplies available to offset groundwater pumping. SGMA does not give legal authority to GSAs to oversee, establish policies for, or enforce policies related to oil and gas extraction.  

There are no current or projected significant and unreasonable impacts related to land subsidence in the Kern County Subbasin. The GSAs have identified areas of interest along critical infrastructure, including the Friant-Kern Canal and the California Aqueduct, in which monitoring and proactive measures to avoid potential impacts are prioritized. 

Recommended additional reading: United States Geological Survey’s summary of land subsidence in California:  Land Subsidence in California | U.S. Geological Survey 

Do the Kern County Subbasin GSAs manage public supplier water bill rates and water conservation policies (such as limits on outdoor water use)? 

SGMA does not give authority to GSAs to establish or enforce public supplier water rates or water conservation policies. Please contact your local water supplier for related questions.  

Visit Community Resources Information for local water supplier and other local public agency contact information. Community Resources Information Page 

How do I contact my local water supplier? 

Contact your local water supplier for related questions by visiting Community Resources Information: Community Resources Information Page 

Which GSA am I located within?

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