SB 820: Tracking groundwater use

Groundwater is a critical source of fresh water for California for drinking water, irrigation, and a full range of commercial and industrial purposes. Yet unlike surface water, the state has almost no jurisdiction over the use of groundwater. In recent years, users of groundwater in four Southern 20 California counties have been required to report their groundwater extractions to the state, in an effort to track groundwater levels and use patterns. SB 820 (Kuehl) would have expanded that requirement statewide.