WATER-06
Pursue grant funding opportunities from the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), the California Department of Water Resources (CA DWR), the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and other State and Federal agencies related to water recycling projects, and/or other water resource planning projects.
Support the efforts of regional water districts to explore water supply options for the future and collaborate on water conservation strategies to improve supply capacity throughout the Sacramento and American River watersheds. Support water districts’ efforts to engage with RWA, SWRCB, CA DWR, Reclamation, USACE, groundwater sustainability agencies, flood control agencies, and other local, State, and Federal agencies to identify new sources of water supply.
Collaborate with RWA, the Sierra Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Partnership (Sierra CAMP), Sierra Nevada Conservancy, the Water Forum, CRCRC, groundwater sustainability agencies, and other local, regional, and State organizations to explore regional sustainability and conservation strategies for Sacramento County’s water resources (i.e., Sacramento, American, Mokelumne, and Cosumnes Rivers; groundwater). This may include improving domestic well data and information sharing among agencies.
Invest in programs within Sacramento County, such as the RWA Sacramento Regional Water Bank, to recharge groundwater supplies through in-lieu methods (e.g., supply surface water to an existing groundwater user) and direct methods (e.g., recharge ponds or injection wells) to improve Sacramento County’s water storage capacity. Support water districts’ efforts to conjunctively use water supplies to maximize use of surface water when it is available and rely on groundwater when it is not.
Support projects such as RiverArc and Sites Reservoir that increase regional access to surface water and increase Statewide water storage.
Benefits: Ongoing communication and collaboration with other water-related stakeholders (e.g., agencies, organizations, businesses) would facilitate planning efforts to ensure that potentially limited water resources are allocated fairly and appropriately both upstream and downstream of Sacramento County. It is imperative that Sacramento County and its surrounding communities adapt to shifts in precipitation patterns associated with climate change.
This measure will have co-benefits related to flood risk.
Timeframe: Midterm
