What Is SGMA? Understanding California’s Groundwater Law
California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), passed in 2014, is one of the state’s most important water laws. It was created in response to decades of declining groundwater levels, land subsidence, and the growing recognition that groundwater, the water stored underground in aquifers, must be managed sustainably to ensure reliable supplies for people, farms, and ecosystems.
Why SGMA Matters
Groundwater provides nearly 40% of California’s total water supply in a normal year and up to 60% during droughts. Overuse has led to wells running dry, water quality degradation, and damage to infrastructure and ecosystems. SGMA establishes a long-term framework to balance groundwater use and recharge so that aquifers remain viable for future generations.
How It Works
SGMA requires that local agencies in medium- and high-priority groundwater basins form Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs). These GSAs are responsible for developing and implementing Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs) which are technical and policy documents that outline how the basin will reach sustainability by 2040 or 2042, depending on its priority level.
Each GSP must address six key “undesirable results”:
- Chronic lowering of groundwater levels
- Reduction of groundwater storage
- Seawater intrusion
- Degraded water quality
- Land subsidence
- Depletions of interconnected surface water
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) reviews and evaluates each plan, while the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) serves as a backstop if local agencies fail to act.
What SGMA Means for Communities
SGMA emphasizes local control and stakeholder engagement. Farmers, rural residents, tribes, and small water systems are encouraged to participate in GSA meetings and planning processes to ensure that diverse community needs are reflected in management decisions.
While implementation can be complex, SGMA represents a major step toward a more sustainable and equitable water future for California, one that recognizes the esential connection between groundwater, surface water, and the communities and ecosystems that depend on both.
Reference
California Department of Water Resources (DWR). Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) Overview. Available at: https://water.ca.gov/sgma