The Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency’s February 2026 newsletter is filled with useful links and reminders. Below are the highlights from this newsletter and you can review and subscribe to the SVBGSA newsletter here.
Well Registration Deadline March 31; Educational Workshops Feb. 24 & 25
The Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency, in partnership with Monterey County Water Resources Agency, launched a new well registration program for all Salinas Valley wells. The goal is to increase knowledge about smaller wells in the Salinas Valley as “accurate information about wells helps local agencies better understand groundwater conditions and manage resources effectively,” according to SVBGSA. Residential wells hold a particularly useful source of data because they are shallower than a city or farm’s wells, and therefore more vulnerable when groundwater levels are low.
Well registration can be completed online or by filling out a paper copy found online and submitting it by email to [email protected] or mailing it to MCWRA, PO Box 930, Salinas, CA 93902.
Need more information first? Attend these well registration workshops in-person and online:
- In-Person Workshop: Hosted by District 2 Supervisor Glenn Church in partnership with MCWRA and SVBGSA from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Prunedale Grange (17890 Moro Road in Salinas)
- Digital Workshop: Hosted by District 2 Supervisor Glenn Church and District 5 Supervisor Kate Daniels in partnership with MCWRA and SVBGSA from 5:30-6:30 p.m. on Zoom
Well registration is free if completed by March 31, 2026. Learn more about the workshops and well registration by clicking here.
New monitoring wells strengthen groundwater data
The SVBGSA installed 14 new monitoring wells to fill critical data gaps in the Monterey, Langley Area, Eastside, Forebay and Upper Valley Aquifer subbasins, doubling the total of wells to 28.
The newsletter further explains how this network improves data collection, the partnerships and grant funds involved and new reports available from these efforts. These reports are available on the SVBGSA website and the monitoring well network can be accessed on the SVBGSA GSP Web Map.
First workshop from Water Leadership Institute is a success
A new Water Leadership Institute workshop series launched in 2026 to educate the community about long-lasting water solutions in the Salinas Valley.
The WLI’s first workshop covered several subjects, from the basics of hydrology to a demonstration of groundwater models, water sample testing and discussions with water management professionals and community members about how they got involved with local water advocacy.
Three additional workshops are planned from this inaugural Salinas Valley cohort of the Water Leadership Institute.
Final Month! Home Assessment Program
North Monterey County residents! Have you taken advantage of the Water Efficiency Pilot Program?
This assessment pairs rural renters and homeowners with WaterWise Consulting Inc. experts to analyze their indoor and outdoor water use and offer recommendations and potentially water-saving products like shower heads or irrigation controllers to improve efficiency.
The home assessment program is available to rural residents who own or rent homes in the Monterey, Langley and 180/400 subbasins in northern Monterey County. To qualify, properties must be served by a private well or a small/medium water system. If you have questions regarding eligibility, please email [email protected].
Learn more about the assessment and request one by completing the online application. Funding is limited, and applications will be accepted until capacity is reached.
Upcoming SVBGSA Meetings
All meetings are a hybrid in-person/online setting and members of the public are encouraged to attend in person or remotely.
- Langley Committee Meeting – 9 a.m. – Tuesday, Feb. 17
- Executive Committee Meeting – 3 p.m. – Wednesday, Feb. 18
- Advisory Committee Meeting – 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19
- Monterey Committee Meeting – 12 p.m. – Wednesday, Feb. 25
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