Monterey County Water Resources Agency (MCWRA) and the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (SVBGSA) have launched a new well registration program to better understand and protect groundwater resources in the Salinas Valley. All well owners are asked to register their wells for free by Jan. 31, 2026. The program, approved by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors earlier this year, is part of a statewide requirement under California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), which calls for all groundwater basins to be monitored to ensure long-term sustainability for all users.

Other groundwater news:

• The Napa Valley Register (Napa, Calif.): Napa’s wine country wells could have a pumping fee