California water officials on Thursday recommended putting several San Joaquin Valley groundwater agencies on probation for failing to develop an adequate plan to stop over pumping their severely overdrafted aquifers.
The state’s depleted aquifers received 3.8 million acre-feet of water, more water than 11 million California households will use annually. But reaching sustainability will still take more water and stronger conservation efforts.
California regulators say groundwater plans are inadequate in six areas of the San Joaquin Valley. The move triggers state intervention to bolster regulation.