The deadline for landowners in the North Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) in north Fresno County is Sunday, Nov. 30. Otherwise, well owners will be subject to a $100 penalty per well.
The GSA has been on a quest to identify an estimated 7,000 wells within its boundaries since May.
So far, more than 4,500 wells have been registered, including more than 2,200 domestic wells and 1,669 agricultural wells. Registration is required for all well owners, including domestic, agricultural and industrial.
The registry will help the agency fill “data gaps,” get a better handle on groundwater management and demonstrate a desire to maintain local control to state regulators. It stems from the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), which requires local agencies bring aquifers into balance by 2040.
Well owners are encouraged to do their part, and can register their wells on the GSA’s online platform, called Subcurrent, via its website, northkingsgsa.org/wellregistration/.
Help is available until 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26, for those who need assistance navigating the platform. After that, the GSA’s office will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday.
According to a press release, some of the most common questions throughout the last six months have come from domestic well owners concerned about metering and water restrictions. North Kings GSA does not plan to meter or restrict domestic well pumping as SGMA protects “de minimis” users, those who pump less than two acre-feet of groundwater per year.
Knowing where wells are actually helps the GSA protect domestic wells from going dry.
For more information, call (559) 693-5119.