Southern California's Conjunctive Use: Enhancing Reliability
Moderator: William Steele , Area Manager , Bureau of Reclamation, Lower Colorado Region
Participants: Tim Parker , Director , California GroundWater Resources Association
Charlotte Hodde , Water Program Manager , Planning and Conservation League
Scott Slater* , Partner , Hatch & Parent
Robb Whitaker , General Manager , WRD of Southern California
Description:

As water imports get diminished, more and more agencies will look to conjunctive use programs as a vital resource to meet water supply needs. A 2001 study conducted by the Association of Groundwater Agencies analyzed 18 major Southern California groundwater basin groupings. The study showed that over 21.5 million acre-feet of additional groundwater storage is available in Southern California groundwater basins. A 2001 report from the Natural Heritage Institute identified seven major groundwater banking programs in CA’s Central Valley. How does a bigger role in conjunctive use mean to California water supplies?

Discussion Questions:

• Over the next 20 years, what role will conjunctive water management play in enhancing local water supply reliability in Southern California?
• What impact will the availability of less imported surface water have on conjunctive water management in Southern California?
• Will water conservation activities, including the Governor’s 20 by 2020 program, impact conjunctive water management in Southern California? If so, how?
• What monitoring activities need to occur to ensure the sustainability of conjunctive water management in Southern California?
• What happens to conjunctive use programs if the water quality regulations make it cost prohibitive?
• Do we need a statewide conjunctive use program?
• Do we need a watermaster?
• What happens when there are subsidence issues?