From farmers to winemakers, commercial water users pumping from the Paso Robles Area Groundwater Basin may soon need to pay for their water use — and this time, they won’t be able to protest the fees. On Friday, the Paso Robles Area Groundwater Authority released a draft rate study that proposed charging $22.90 per acre-foot of groundwater used by water systems, farmers and commercial pumpers. … Meanwhile, domestic well owners would not be charged water use fees, the report said. The city of Paso Robles is the largest water system that would pay fees, but this wouldn’t impact the city’s ratepayers, Mayor John Hamon told The Tribune.

Other groundwater news:

• Ebb and Flow (California Water Boards): Blog: Reducing flood risks while refilling the basin – new Central Valley recharge project already boosting the water table
• Sierra Daily News (Susanville, Calif.): Water Commission meeting to feature State Water Project’s renewable energy goals, Sustainable Groundwater Management update