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Stockton council adopts Eastern San Joaquin Groundwater Sustainability Plan amendment; staff highlights recharge and meter projects
Summary
Council adopted the GSP amendment developed by the Eastern San Joaquin Groundwater Authority, endorsing local projects including a Well 8 rehab, a recharge basin expected to store about 20,000 acre-feet annually (estimated cost $12.2M) and an AMI meter program ($17M with a $4.3M federal grant). Council voted 7 to adopt.
The Stockton City Council, acting as a local Groundwater Sustainability Agency, adopted the Eastern San Joaquin Groundwater Sustainability Plan amendment on March 18 and directed continued collaboration with the regional Groundwater Authority and local stakeholders.
A city water department presenter explained why groundwater management matters under California's Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) and described indicators the plan addresses: chronic lowering of groundwater levels, overall storage loss, land subsidence risk and interconnected surface-water depletion. San Joaquin County
nd the Eastern San Joaquin Groundwater Authority developed the amendment as part of basinwide coordination.
Staff highlighted three city projects tied to the plan: the rehabilitation of Well No. 8 in South Stockton (recently completed, treated with ion-exchange for PFAS-type contaminants, producing roughly 1,500 gallons per minute; cost about $4.8 million), a design-phase recharge basin at the Delta Water Treatment Plant intended to store roughly 20,000 acre-feet in a wet year (estimated cost about $12.2 million and targeted completion by 2027), and an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) rollout to about 52,000 meters (project estimate $17 million, with a $4.3 million federal grant awarded).
Council members discussed outreach, the Water Advisory Group process and funding strategies. Public commenters, including environmental organizations, noted concerns about remaining unmitigated emissions and urged the city to use outreach channels and stakeholder forums during implementation.
Council voted 7 to adopt the resolution authorizing the city GSA to submit the amendment for state review and to continue collaborative implementation across local agencies. Staff said monitoring and project implementation will continue and that the city will report back as projects proceed.
Next steps: staff will return with implementation timelines, grant-seeking updates and further stakeholder engagement as the GSP programs move toward construction and operations.
