SACRAMENTO – (INT) – California water watchers are celebrating the first year since 2019 that there has been an increase in groundwater storage.

Nearly 85 percent of Californians depend on groundwater for some portion of their water supply.

A significant reduction in groundwater pumping in 2023 also led to favorable groundwater conditions, including a decrease in land subsidence, or sinking of the land. Some areas that had previously experienced subsidence actually saw a rebound (uplift).

Ninety-nine groundwater basins make up over 90 percent of the groundwater use in the state.

Story Date: May 6, 2024