Borrego Springs is running out of water.
The aquifer that lays under the Borrego basin is disappearing, it's critically over-drafted.
In 2017, California created the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), which mandated that Borrego become water “sustainable,” meaning water inflow equals outflow, by 2040.
Keep in mind, that Borrego is 100% dependent on groundwater, there is no feasible way to bring water into the basin, and due to climate change, the aquifer is not going to suddenly replenish.
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To become sustainable, Borrego needs to cut 75% of its water usage by 2040.
After years of back and forth and lack of a cohesive plan, a recent court decision has finally put a water plan in place for Borrego Springs.
On April 8, Orange County Superior Court Judge Peter Wilson ruled in favor of an Adjudication proposal signed by over 80% of Borrego’s pumpers.
The new Grand Management Plan (GMP) gives day-to-day water management, as well as long-range sustainability planning of the basin, to a Watermaster Board and Staff. The Watermaster Board is comprised of agricultural, municipal and recreational pumpers, as well as a community representative and independent consultant.
To meet the long-term goal of a 75% reduction in water usage, a ramp-down policy has been put in place. In the first ten years, Borrego will see a 50% decrease in water usage, followed by a 25% cut the following ten years. Farms and golf courses will be impacted the most. Currently, agriculture accounts for 70% of Borrego’s water usage, while golf courses are responsible for 15%. If all goes to plan, Borrego will have cut its water usage by 75% by 2040.
The new Watermaster Board has already taken steps to put its plan in place, including installing meters on all large, active pumping wells.
