Domestic-well failure mitigation and costs in groundwater management planning: observations from recent groundwater sustainability plans in California, USA

Gailey, Robert M.; Lund, Jay R.; Philipp, Jon R.

doi:10.1007/s10040-021-02431-y

Cited by 5 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 23 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In some cases, limitations regarding financial capability to pay for remedies become evident by also considering the locations of disadvantaged communities (Bostic et al 2020; Bostic 2021). Also, if no mitigation occurs until the impacts occur, the demand for skilled services required to accomplish mitigation in the most impacted areas may be so large that it cannot be accommodated quickly enough to avoid water supply failures (Gailey et al 2022).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While some well owners will incur the expenses from these impacts as a cost of doing business, others may not be able to withstand the financial burden. The less financially resilient may include domestic well owners (Gailey et al 2019, 2022; Bostic et al 2020; Gailey 2020), small public water systems (Bostic 2021) and small farmers (Atume and Voss‐Gonzalez 2022). This type of information is important when considering equity in stakeholder negotiations regarding the details of groundwater management plans.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nevertheless, this type of analysis clarifies the spatial distributions and magnitudes of likely impacts in the study area. When these results are combined with those for adjacent areas in the greater region to be managed, the potential magnitude of mitigation needs becomes evident (Gailey et al 2022). Some areas are quite vulnerable given the estimated intensities of impact.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(While some problems with domestic wells may also be corrected by connection to a centralized supply, this approach is often not possible in rural areas where many wells are located.) Details of the method have been discussed previously (Gailey et al 2016, 2019, 2022; Gailey 2020) and are only summarized here. Estimation is performed using spreadsheet calculations and some data management with geographic information system tools.…”

Section: Case Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These impacts are a concern (1) during the 20‐year period allowed for management actions to achieve sustainability and (2) over the 30‐year management period when additional groundwater pumping may be allowed to compensate for decreased surface water supply during drought. Estimating and addressing these impacts is proving to be important for regulatory acceptance of the management plans; however, this type of analysis is relatively new (Gailey et al 2016, 2019, 2022; Perrone and Jasechko 2017; Bostic et al 2020; Gailey 2020; Jasechko and Perrone 2020, 2021; Pauloo et al 2020; Water Foundation 2020; Bostic 2021). The following sections present an analysis developed for a planning effort in the San Joaquin Valley of California (Figure 1) as an example of information that groundwater scientists can provide to support management planning in areas where impact to well operations is a concern.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Factoring Impacts to Water Supply Well Operations into Groundwater Management Planning

Gailey¹

2022

Groundwater

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Groundwater management planning requires balancing the interests of different stakeholder groups because (1) water supply development causes changes to groundwater systems that include declines in groundwater levels and (2) benefits and costs from pumping the common‐pool resource often do not occur such that they are shared proportionate to use. Quantifying impacts from declining groundwater levels among user groups can be useful for evaluating management strategies. In California, considering impacts to supply well operations is proving important for acceptance of management plans that have been required by law. A case study is presented to illustrate the types of results that may contribute to the planning process. The results indicate that significant differences in impact may occur between groundwater pumpers. Suggestions are provided for using this information to mitigate impacts to the most vulnerable stakeholders.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Case Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Factoring Impacts to Water Supply Well Operations into Groundwater Management Planning

Gailey¹

2022

Groundwater

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Making a vicious cycle virtuous: A research and policy agenda for advancing the water security of unregulated users in the Southwestern U.S.

Dobbin,

Hernandez,

Bostic

et al. 2024

WIREs Water

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In the United States, most residents receive water from centralized utilities regulated under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Yet, a sizable portion of U.S. residents satisfy their household water needs through decentralized means, including domestic wells, very small water systems, and hauled water. These federally unregulated water users are among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, particularly in aridifying regions like the Southwest. They are, however, inconsistently monitored and regulated at the Tribal, federal, state, and local levels. Compared to regulated users, very few programs exist to assist this population in securing and maintaining safe, affordable drinking water access. This neglect creates a vicious cycle whereby their water security needs remain both poorly understood and inadequately addressed. We review available data sources, regulations, assistance programs, and published studies relevant to unregulated water users across the Southwestern U.S. to illustrate this injurious feedback loop. We then propose four key areas for intervention to transform this vicious cycle into a virtuous one. Drawing on new insights from the emerging literature on modular, adaptive, and decentralized (MAD) water infrastructure, we highlight opportunities for investment and innovation to support decentralized service alongside existing investments in centralized infrastructure, and the critical need to attend to justice in the design and implementation of such policies.This article is categorized under: Science of Water > Water and Environmental Change Human Water > Water Governance Human Water > Rights to Water

show abstract

Drivers of domestic wells vulnerability during droughts in California’s Central Valley

Rodríguez-Flores,

Fernandez-Bou,

Ortiz-Partida

et al. 2023

Environ. Res. Lett.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Over the past decade, California has experienced two multiyear droughts, resulting in water insecurity for communities and significant economic losses for the agricultural sector. Despite the recognition of water as a human right in the state since 2012, droughts consistently lead to the failure of thousands of domestic wells due to intensified groundwater pumping for irrigation purposes. In the Central Valley alone, groundwater sustains the livelihoods of thousands of individuals (and millions across the state) serving as their sole water source, rendering them vulnerable due to inadequate groundwater management. In this study, we present a spatial statistical model to identify critical localized factors within the food-water-human system that contribute to the vulnerability of domestic wells during droughts. Our results indicate that the depth of domestic wells, density of domestic and agricultural wells, socioeconomic conditions, and the extent of perennial crops play significant roles in predicting well failures during droughts. We show the implications of addressing these factors within the context of ongoing groundwater sustainability initiatives, and we propose strategies to safeguard the water source for thousands of individuals necessary to protect domestic wells

show abstract

Domestic-well failure mitigation and costs in groundwater management planning: observations from recent groundwater sustainability plans in California, USA

Cited by 5 publications

References 23 publications

Factoring Impacts to Water Supply Well Operations into Groundwater Management Planning

Factoring Impacts to Water Supply Well Operations into Groundwater Management Planning

Making a vicious cycle virtuous: A research and policy agenda for advancing the water security of unregulated users in the Southwestern U.S.

Drivers of domestic wells vulnerability during droughts in California’s Central Valley

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About