Public asked for comments on proposal to address dry wells by Kings County groundwater agency – SJV Water

Report on Groundwater Management Initiatives in Northern Kings County

Introduction: Aligning Local Water Policy with Global Sustainable Development Goals

The South Fork Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) is advancing critical policy measures to address groundwater depletion in Northern Kings County. These initiatives, including a well mitigation program and a groundwater pumping allocation policy, represent a significant effort to achieve sustainable water management in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

Well Mitigation Program: A Direct Response to SDG 6

The GSA board has approved a draft $1.5 million well mitigation program for a 30-day public comment period, commencing November 10. This program is designed to provide relief to residents and communities whose water access has been compromised by excessive groundwater pumping, directly addressing targets within SDG 6.

Program Objectives and Beneficiaries

• To assist domestic well owners, well-dependent communities, and industrial well owners.
• To address impacts such as wells running dry or significant water quality degradation.
• To exclude routine electrical or mechanical well failures.

Program Structure and Support

The program is structured into two distinct tracks to provide targeted assistance:

1. Domestic Well Owners (fewer than four connections): This track focuses on immediate humanitarian needs, aligning with SDG Target 6.1, which aims for universal access to safe drinking water.
   • Provision of emergency drinking water within 24 hours of notification.
   • Establishment of an interim water supply within 72 hours.
2. Municipal, Community, and Industrial Wells: This track supports community-level water security, contributing to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
   • Offers up to $30,000 in technical assistance.
   • Assistance includes grant application support, well design, and feasibility studies.

Eligibility and Funding

To qualify, well owners must demonstrate that negative impacts occurred after January 1, 2015, coinciding with the implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). All applicants are required to register their wells with the South Fork GSA. The program will be financed through pumping and land assessment fees, with a reserve fund of $1.5 million to be established by the end of 2026.

Groundwater Allocation Policy: Managing Resources for Sustainability

In parallel, the GSA has released a draft pumping allocation policy for public comment. This policy is fundamental to achieving SDG Target 6.5 (Integrated Water Resources Management) by establishing clear limits on groundwater extraction to ensure long-term aquifer health.

Policy Components

• Sustainable Yield: The policy establishes a sustainable yield of 0.66 acre-feet of groundwater per acre of land. This is the amount that can be extracted without causing undesirable long-term impacts.
• Transitional Pumping: Farmers will be granted a temporary, additional allocation above the sustainable yield. This buffer amount is designed to decrease progressively, reaching zero by 2040, facilitating a managed transition to sustainable pumping levels.

Regulatory Context and Future Outlook

The South Fork GSA operates within the Tulare Lake subbasin, a region placed on probation by the State Water Resources Control Board in April 2024 due to an inadequate groundwater management plan. This state-level oversight underscores the urgency of implementing effective local policies. Following a court ruling, a state-mandated deadline requires Kings County farmers to begin reporting all groundwater extractions by May 1, 2026. The GSA’s concurrent policy initiatives are a proactive measure to meet this deadline and advance the region toward the SGMA’s goal of bringing aquifers into balance by 2040, thereby securing a sustainable water future for its communities and ecosystems as envisioned by the SDGs.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article discusses issues and initiatives that are directly connected to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary focus is on water management, but the implications extend to community sustainability and ecosystem health. The following SDGs are addressed:

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: This is the most prominent SDG in the article. The entire text revolves around the management of groundwater, addressing the issue of wells running dry, ensuring access to drinking water, and implementing policies for sustainable water use.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The article highlights the impact of water scarcity on communities. When domestic and community wells go dry, it threatens the basic services necessary for safe and resilient housing, directly linking the issue to the sustainability of local communities.
• SDG 15: Life on Land: The article’s focus on achieving groundwater balance through the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) connects to the protection of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. Over-pumping aquifers can lead to land subsidence and harm groundwater-dependent ecosystems, making sustainable management crucial for this goal.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the actions and problems described, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 6.1: Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
   • The article directly addresses this by describing the well mitigation program, which provides “emergency drinking water within 24 hours” to residential well owners whose wells have gone dry. This is a direct response to a loss of access to safe drinking water.
2. Target 6.4: Substantially increase water-use efficiency and ensure sustainable withdrawals.
   • The proposed “pumping allocation policy” is a clear effort to achieve this target. It dictates how much farmers can pump by setting a “sustainable yield” at “.66 acre feet of groundwater per acre” and phasing out “transitional pumping” by 2040. This is a direct measure to ensure sustainable withdrawals and address water scarcity.
3. Target 6.5: Implement integrated water resources management at all levels.
   • The existence and operation of the South Fork Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) exemplifies this target. The GSA is a local entity created under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) to manage a shared resource, demonstrating integrated water resources management at the local level.
4. Target 6.b: Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management.
   • The article states that “residents and landowners are being asked to have a say” and mentions the GSA releasing its draft program “for public comment for 30 days.” It also notes a public comment period for the pumping allocation policy and a public workshop, all of which are mechanisms for community participation.
5. Target 11.1: Ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services.
   • The article discusses aid for “well dependent-communities” whose water supply, a basic service for housing, is threatened. The mitigation program, which offers technical and financial assistance, is an attempt to restore this basic service and maintain the viability of these communities.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article contains several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Indicator for Target 6.1 (Access to Water): The number of domestic wells going dry serves as a baseline indicator of the problem. Progress can be measured by the number of households that receive emergency and interim water supplies through the mitigation program. The response times of “within 24 hours” for emergency water and “72 hours” for an interim supply are specific performance indicators.
• Indicator for Target 6.4 (Sustainable Withdrawals): The “sustainable yield” of “.66 acre feet of groundwater per acre” is a key quantitative indicator. Progress towards sustainability can be tracked by monitoring farmers’ adherence to this allocation and the scheduled reduction of “transitional pumping” to zero by the 2040 deadline.
• Indicator for Target 6.5 & 6.b (Management & Participation): The establishment and functioning of the GSA itself is an indicator of implemented water resource management. The number of public comments received during the 30-day and 45-day comment periods and the number of attendees at the public workshop are indicators of the level of community participation.
• Indicator for Target 11.1 (Basic Services): The amount of financial aid offered, such as “up to $30,000 in technical assistance” for community wells and the establishment of a “$1.5 million” reserve fund for the program, are financial indicators of the effort to secure basic services for affected communities.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: sjvwater.org