Question: What is the Water Accounting System?

The WAS provides a framework for accurately tracking water stored through the operation of the Water Bank. This framework includes a detailed description of how Water Bank Participating Agencies will transparently manage and account for recharge (deposits), recovery (withdrawals), banking balances, banked water that is not recoverable, and intentionally left in the bank. The WAS aligns with overlying Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSP) and aids Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSA) with managing groundwater sustainably. 

Question: What is the importance of the Water Accounting System to the Sacramento Regional Water Bank?

The WAS is an essential component of the Water Bank as it validates the effectiveness of water banking operations, including actions taken to recharge or bank water.

Question: How does the Water Accounting System contribute to groundwater sustainability in accordance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act?

The Water Bank is a project identified in both the North and South American GSPs to aid in managing groundwater sustainably and in accordance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.  Under the Water Bank, recharge actions taken by Participating Agencies will increase groundwater levels and the amount of groundwater in storage or banked in each subbasin. Banked water will be available for withdrawal for local, regional, and/or potentially statewide uses during periods of drought or other times to aid in water supply reliability and ecosystem health. Specifically, the WAS (1) provides accurate and defensible accounting by tracking Water Bank operations, including recharge, recovery, banking losses, and leave-behind volumes, and (2) aids in sustainable groundwater management as defined in GSPs through the increase in groundwater levels and water stored within the subbasin over time. The Water Accounting System includes adaptive management provisions that will be implemented if any challenges arise related to Water Bank operations. 

Question: What geographical area does the Water Accounting System cover?

The Water Accounting System provides standardization and comprehensive coverage of all water banking actions or programs within the North and South American subbasins as defined by the California Department of Water Resources. It enables accurate and transparent tracking of (1) various recharge methods, including spreading basins, injection wells, and in-lieu recharge, and (2) recharge using multiple water sources, such as surface water, recycled water, and stormwater.

Question: How was the WAS developed?

RWA developed the WAS based on direction from Water Bank Participating Agencies, with input from GSAs in both the North and South American subbasins, non-governmental organizations, technical experts, and other stakeholders. Incorporation and consideration of State and Federal documentation and processes were also used in the development of the WAS.

Question: How will the WAS be managed?

RWA will manage the WAS on behalf of Water Bank Participating Agencies. It is anticipated that the Water Bank will be operational as early as 2027. The WAS will be implemented consistent with adaptive management principles as defined in the WAS document and will be evaluated periodically by the Water Bank Participating Agencies for the purposes of determining changes and updates. 

Question: What is the role of Groundwater Sustainability Agencies relative to the Water Accounting System?

GSAs are local public agencies formed to manage groundwater basins in a sustainable way, as required by the California Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). GSAs develop and implement GSPs that outline how groundwater will be used and managed to avoid undesirable results and prevent overdraft. GSA input and active coordination with Water Bank Participating Agencies and the RWA are key to ensuring the benefits of the Water Bank project to groundwater sustainability are realized and any challenges associated with Water Bank operations are addressed to avoid any unreasonable negative effects in each subbasin. The WAS or future Water Bank operations do not and will not alter the authority of overlying GSAs under SGMA.