Local District Ranks Highest in the State for its Water Replenishment Efforts by United Water Conservation District May 22, 2024 Member Submitted News OXNARD – As part of California’s 2024 Semi-Annual Groundwater Conditions Update, the California Department of Water Resources highlighted United Water Conservation District (UWCD)’s Oxnard Basin for its positive contributions to the State’s groundwater supply. The Oxnard groundwater basin spans 57,888 acres, and during the 2023 Water Year (WY 2023) UWCD managed to resupply 111,254 acre-feet of water – or more than 36 billion gallons, resulting in a best-in-State recharge rate per area of 1.92 acre-feet per acre. Despite being a smaller basin, it also managed to rank sixth in the state in total groundwater recharge volume. This was largely due to United’s recharge operations in the Forebay area. “We are honored to be recognized by the Department of Water Resources for our successful year in recharging the Oxnard basin,” said UWCD Board President Sheldon G. Berger. “Our organization remains committed to preserving this precious resource while serving the best interests of our constituents.” 2023 was an exceptionally wet year for California, ranking as the eighth wettest year in the past 50 years. While surface water reservoir levels have mostly recovered, long-term groundwater storage in aquifers is still at a deficit from decades of sustained pumping due to frequent droughts. “Since groundwater accounts for nearly 60 percent of the State’s water supply, it is vital that agencies have a strategy in place to replenish basins when the State experiences higher-than-average wet seasons,” added UWCD General Manager Mauricio Guardado. “Despite facing so many local and external challenges, we continue to stay focused on our mission as environmental stewards for our groundwater-dependent ecosystem.” The Oxnard basin was not the only location within UWCD recognized for its efforts in WY 2023. The Piru basin saw the largest increase in total water storage per area in the State at a rate of 4.65 acre-feet per acre, while the Fillmore basin tied for fifth in the State at a rate of 1.51 acre-feet per acre. Of 99 basins submitting data to the State, 93 reported a positive change in groundwater storage. This is a significant improvement over the previous water year where 76 out of the 97 basins reported a negative annual change in storage. UWCD continues to focus on increasing groundwater storage across all seven of its basins to ensure a sustainable future for its customers throughout the region. It aims to reverse groundwater overdraft by strategically recharging its basins yearly and capitalizing on heavy rainfall seasons. ### About United Water Conservation District Since 1927, United Water Conservation District (District) has served as a leader among water agencies by managing, protecting, enhancing and securing the water resources of the Santa Clara River and Oxnard Coastal Plain. The District works to protect the environment’s natural attributes and conserves runoff from all major tributaries of the Santa Clara River, including Piru, Hopper, Sespe, and Santa Paula Creeks. Committed to managing the area’s water supplies through groundwater replenishment and the construction and operation of efficient water supply and delivery systems, the District serves as the conservator of groundwater resources that are utilized by the cities of Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Ventura, Santa Paula, and Fillmore, as well as Naval Base Ventura County and several mutual water districts, farms, and individual pumpers. The District also provides surface water for agricultural irrigation and treated drinking water to the cities of Oxnard and Port Hueneme. www.unitedwater.org
