COMMITTEE AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Joint WRC with Cities of Gilroy/Morgan Hill/SCRWA
Government Code § 84308 Applies: Yes ? No ?
(If “YES” Complete Attachment A – Gov. Code § 84308)
SUBJECT: title
Receive an Update on Valley Water’s South County Managed Aquifer Recharge Activities.
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RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Receive an update on Valley Water’s South County managed aquifer recharge activities.
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SUMMARY:
Managed aquifer recharge continues to be essential for groundwater sustainability throughout Santa Clara County, but particularly in South County where local communities depend almost entirely on groundwater. Valley Water’s managed recharge using local and imported surface water helps balance groundwater pumping, and long-term planning helps ensure continued reliability far into the future. This memorandum describes Valley Water’s South County recharge program and related projects that were evaluated in the Water Supply Master Plan 2050.
Background
For many decades, the amount of groundwater pumped in Santa Clara County has exceeded what is replenished naturally by rainfall or other sources. To ensure local groundwater supplies are sustainable, Valley Water augments natural groundwater recharge through the managed recharge of local and imported surface water. Water conservation and recycling programs as well as treated water deliveries (North County only) also protect groundwater supplies by reducing the need for groundwater pumping.
Each year, Valley Water determines optimal water supply operations, including managed recharge, based on available supplies and local needs. Long-term water reliability is evaluated through Valley Water’s Water Supply Master Plan and Urban Water Management Plan, which assess projected future supplies and demands and are updated every five years. Investments and projects to meet projected future shortfalls and ensure continued reliability are identified in the Water Supply Master Plan.
Current South County ...
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