The Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority extended an agreement with the U.S. Navy to drill groundwater monitoring wells in a specific location while it works to get data from the Indian Wells Valley Water District that already has monitoring wells in that same location. The agreement, which involves funding from the Navy-Coso Royalty fund, was set to expire Aug. 31, 2026. That fund is made up of payments from geothermal companies that operate on Navy land. Under the agreement, the Navy-Coso Royalties fund will pay up to $300,000 for the authority to drill two groundwater monitoring wells and the authority is to pay Stetson Engineering $75,000 in related project costs.

Other groundwater news:

• The Fresno Bee (Calif.): Studies look at ‘less bad’ options for farmers facing groundwater cutbacks