California Water News Daily Your Source For Water News in California
Mojave Water Agency (MWA) is urging residents and businesses to conserve water to ensure the groundwater basins in its 4,900 square-mile service area remain a reliable source of water.
As a water wholesaler, MWA doesn’t sell water directly to consumers, but manages the High Desert’s water supply, which is 100% groundwater. The Agency is tasked with measuring and importing water from the California Aqueduct when necessary, and implementing the court sanctioned groundwater management system, also known as “the adjudication,” that keeps the consumption of water in balance with reserves for retailers to provide to their customers.
“We live in the desert, so conservation is a way of life,” said Board President Jeanette Hayhurst. “Times like these are exactly why Mojave Water Agency exists. We have been using sound science to monitor and manage the region’s groundwater resources for more than 60 years, so there are no surprises.”
Mojave Water Agency has implemented several measures to prevent overdraft of the region’s water including:
- Investment in technology and basin infrastructure
- Adoption of an Imported Water Purchasing and Pre-Stored Water policies
- Turf removal grant programs
- Legal advocacy to combat water theft and contamination by illegal cannabis growers
- A robust education, conservation, and outreach program
- The Minimal Producers ordinance that takes effect on July 1
- Annual updates to the Agency’s Strategic Plan
“There isn’t an ‘easy button’ we can press to solve this problem,” said Hayhurst. “Drought response is going to take every resident, every business and every water agency working together to reduce our water use regionally for the long term.”
