Page 4 - Yucaipa Valley Water District - Board Workshop
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Why California Law Requires a Clear
Benefit for Groundwater Recharge
Aquifer recharge by itself isn’t enough to win a water diversion permit in
California, says Erik Ekdahl of the State Water Resources Control Board.
A more specific benefit is required, and the board is working
to ease the process.
WRITTEN BY PUBLISHED ON READ TIME
Matt Weiser October 18, 2018 Approx. 5 minutes
RESEARCHERS AT THE University of California recently highlighted a flaw in state law
that may prohibit diverting streamflow to recharge groundwater. The problem is that
groundwater recharge by itself is not considered a “beneficial use” under state law, and
meeting that definition is a requirement to obtain a permit to divert water.
Yucaipa Valley Water District - October 30, 2018 - Page 4 of 56
