Well Registration

Glenn Church
Feb 12
3 min read

Dear Friends & Neighbors,

North County has about two-thirds of the private wells and small water systems that serve residents in Monterey County. It is now the focal point of a state effort to know every well within the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency boundaries (SVBGSA). Not all of North County is in the SVBGSA boundaries. The northern parts of Pajaro, Aromas, Las Lomas and much, but not all of Moss Landing and Royal Oaks are in the Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency’s territory (it too must comply with state directives on water, but that is another story).

The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) was enacted in 2014 and puts forth a deadline of 2040 for critically over-drafted groundwater basins (like the Pajaro Valley and part of the Salinas Valley) to be groundwater sustainable. In general terms, that means the amount of water going into the basins must be roughly equal to that going out. The deadline is fourteen years away. The good news is that the state allows local jurisdictions to achieve that goal of their own design. The bad news is that the state is looking over local decision-making and must approve the plans proposed. The main reviewing and enforcing agencies in the state are the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB).

Although local control is allowed, the process to follow is tightly monitored. If a local groundwater sustainability agency (in this case SVBGSA) does not follow protocols, then the state will step in, take control of everyone’s water decision-making and dictate the solutions. The rules are simple: play by the rules these state agencies set or become a spectator on how you can use your water. Whether you are a part of a large water system, such as in Salinas, or a private well owner in Prunedale, water decision-making at the local level depends on how well we all comply with how the state wants us to proceed.

That’s a long preamble to the current problem. The State is requiring that all wells be registered with details on how they operate. It doesn’t matter that nearly 90% of groundwater use is agricultural, and that sustainability will depend on how agricultural pumping is managed. The State’s position is that every well must still be accounted for.

I have tried to find a way to exempt these small water users (called de minimis users) from well registration. It is not possible. The State mandates it. While de minimis users are exempt from pumping allocations and extraction fees, they are not exempt from well registration or basic reporting requirements under state law. Ignore DWR and SWRCB and they will assume control of our local water-decision making.

Monterey County initially proposed a registration fee of approximately $300 for all wells – de minimis or larger. Supervisor Lopez and I fought back on this and were able to get funding for this year so that those charges would not be applied. There is no guarantee that the fees will not be imposed next year, but both Supervisor Lopez and I are working on ways to keep those charges off.

There are approximately 1,500 wells countywide that need to be registered. A deadline to do so was set at the end of January this year. Only about 5% of the wells have been registered so far. The deadline has now been extended to the end of March. I don’t know if penalties or registration fees will be imposed after that. Eventually, all wells will be registered. Registering a well does not mean pumping limits are being imposed on domestic well owners. However, my concern is that the longer the wait, the heftier the cost may be for well owners.

If you have an unregistered well, I urge you to register it. You can call (831) 755-4860 for more information, visit svbgsa.org/gmp or contact my office for assistance. There are two upcoming workshops, one in-person on February 24th, and one online on February 25th.

As always, don't hesitate to reach out to my office for assistance. You can reach us at 831-755-5022 or district2@countyofmonterey.gov.

Sincerely,