SGMA in California: Why It’s Everyone’s Problem

If you’ve never heard of SGMA, you’re not alone.

The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act was passed in California in 2014 to address the long-term decline of our groundwater supplies.

But even now, most people outside of farming communities have no idea what SGMA is—or how deeply it will reshape life in the San Joaquin Valley and beyond.

The law was built on a real concern: declining aquifers, dry wells, and sinking land pointed to decades of overpumping. SGMA was meant to bring balance to California’s groundwater use.

But nearly a decade later, it’s clear that the burden of this transition is not being shared equally.

Right now, some of the strictest enforcement efforts are focused on the San Joaquin Valley—where agriculture isn’t just an industry; it’s the economic and cultural backbone of entire communities.

In the Tulare Lake Subbasin alone, more than 25% of the population works in ag.

When water is restricted, farms scale back. Jobs disappear. Families relocate. Schools lose funding. And yet, beyond this region, the conversation about groundwater remains distant and often uninformed.

In many cities, the dialogue around water has become politicized and detached. There’s a growing gap between those who rely on food and those who produce it. It's easy to believe that shifting food production out of state or country is a viable solution. But that mindset ignores the complex web of local jobs, food security, and generational stewardship rooted in this land.

The state’s current approach includes legal deadlines, strict reporting mandates, and financial penalties for noncompliance in places like Kings County.

In 2024, the Tulare Lake Subbasin was placed on probation, triggering a $300 per well fee and $20 per acre-foot pumping charge. For many family operations, that’s not just difficult. It’s devastating.

I believe we can manage groundwater responsibly without dismantling the communities that grow our food. Local knowledge matters and any long-term solution must be built with, not imposed on, the people most affected.

This is where I do my work. Right at the intersection of regulation and reality—supporting those in agriculture as they navigate complex changes, helping communities stay informed, and working to ensure that SGMA doesn’t become a story of loss but a path to long-term resilience.

We can protect our resources and the people who depend on them, but only if we approach this moment with clarity, urgency, and respect for what’s at stake.

I'll meet you at the table,

Julie Martella