Meeting Water Demands And Controlling Saltwater Intrusion In Southern California Groundwater

Due to increasing water demands, decreasing supplies of imported water, and recurring drought conditions, state and local governments are expanding or developing groundwater replenishment or recharge systems. These systems divert highly treated wastewater, which is typically discharged into the ocean or local surface waters, into natural storage areas. The reclaimed waters, once purified, are injected into seawater intrusion barriers, piped to recharge areas, or discharged to surface waters and eventually diverted to groundwater basins. Water management agencies aim to meet future water demands, protect against droughts, and preserve high-quality groundwater through innovative, cost-effective, and environmentally sensitive basin management practices for the benefit of residents and businesses.

California is home to numerous groundwater recharge projects, and other states have implemented similar projects to supplement water supplies including Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, Texas, Florida, and Virginia. The existing and future limitations of water resources in Southern California have prompted more efficient management of water supplies in the Central and West Coast Basins (CWCB).

As the regional groundwater management agency for two of the most used groundwater basins in the State of California, the Water Replenishment District (WRD) plays an integral role in overall water resource management in southern Los Angeles County. As the population of the region continues to increase, it becomes even more important to maximize the use of both imported and recycled or local water sources available to the WRD. The potential for drought and uncertain availability of imported supplies mean that this resource has become increasingly vital and essential as a replenishment source.